RECYCLING: THE BEST FRIEND OF OUR WORLD
In our daily activities, we make use of materials and when we are done with them, we simply “dispose” them. The cumulative effect of disposing these materials can sometimes lead to pollution if not well managed.
As much as it is impossible not to use certain materials in our day to day activities, these materials quickly turn to waste as soon as we are done with them.
In this post, I would be discussing the term RECYCLING and its (obviously positive) effect on our dear earth and our personal lives
This is a term you have probably heard one time or the other. It involves the reusing of materials instead of “trashing” them.
Recycling is an important aspect in attaining a “greener” Earth and healthier ecosystem because recycling leads to production of less waste and also reduces the demand of raw materials to make new products.
Simply put, recycling is making something new from something that has been used before. It is one of the components of the waste management hierarchy; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Examine the word as I split it into two parts: re and cycle. “Re” simply can be termed as doing something again, “cycle” being a sequence of events that is periodically repeated.
The process of Recycling could be as simple as reusing a jar of cookies or as complex as dropping these recyclable items at the nearest recycling center and probably earning money from it.
As stated earlier, almost everything we use in our daily lives can be recycled. Recycling these materials have Environmental and Economic benefits.
Here is a simple list of such recyclable materials
- Metals; Aluminum cans, Aluminum foils, Tin cans
- Paper; Newspaper, Magazines, Cereal cartons, Office paper
- Glass
- Automobile batteries
- Plastics
- Computers
To recycle, you must first decide to recycle (obviously) as recycling is a deliberate action, then when buying items try to buy items that can be recycled. After you have the items you want to recycle, try to sort and separate them into different trash bags and take them to the nearest recycling center or drop them into the nearest recycling bin according to how they’ve been sorted
The reason for the sorting is to make the job easier. There are companies that are in need of the so called waste and would even pay for these items therefore, it is only wise to locate such company or organization and strike a deal with them.
You could also set up a mini recyclable materials collection center, that way, you can also sensitize people about the economic and environmental benefits.
Recycling has a lot of advantages as related to our immediate environment and the world at large. Here is a list of benefits
CONSERVES NATURAL RESOURCES: To recycle items requires fewer raw materials than what will be required to make them from scratch. For instance, to recycle paper 90% less water is required compared to when it is being made from scratch.
SAVES ENERGY: Just as for the natural resources, less energy is required to recycle than to make items from scratch.
CLEANER ENVIRONMENT: Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and as a result even reduces pollution.
Although recycling is majorly an effort to help keep the environment safe, it also has some inevitable economic effects. Below are some of such advantages.
- It leads to creation of jobs
- Recycling costs less than waste management.
Well, if you do not recycle, you would be doing the world (yourself inclusive) more harm than good. Look at this simple illustration;
Instead of recycling, Mr. X decides to dump his refuse carelessly. Unknown to him, he is simply contributing to the ever increasing rate of pollution and thus, he is negatively affecting the economy because his waste would incur expenses for waste management, if the waste is not managed properly, it could cause blockage of drainages which would result in flooding which could cause loss of lives and property or simply pollute the land or water body, killing the plants or fish. Invariably, Mr. X has killed some people or animals.
From my end, a person that does not recycle is a passive murderer. Don’t be like Mr. X
CONCLUSION
The numerous benefits of recycling cannot be over emphasized, and should be a deliberate action by everyone.
In developing countries such as mine, recycling actions have not been fully enforced as some people still do not see the need to do so. It is therefore imperative to try our best to educate people about the benefits of recycling in a bid to make this world a better place for us all.
Make an effort to always recycle and you will be doing the earth a lot of good!!
Sources
WHY IS RECYCLING IMPORTANT
This is such an important topic.
We can all learn to purchase less items that have materials (such as packaging) that isn’t recyclable.
But also the idea of upcycling is important - so re-using something that we have bought instead of throwing it out for recycling.
Totally correct!
Great
I believe some companies like coca cola in Nigeria now request for plastic returns for recycling
The problem is Nigerians can be stubborn.
Lol. You are right, a lot more are ignorant and negligent. The best way is to try educate the ones around us and hopefully, we would gradually develop the recycling culture.
I have upvote, and I do not have much sp for this same as you are still a beginner
Recycling benefits us all. This fact makes you wonder why so many countries do not have working policies that support environmental projects towards recycling. A worthy topic, well written.
Thank you for reading!
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Great work and always a nice reminder!
Thank you