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How effective is recycling in improving climate and environment?

Joi Murkin

Recycling plays a vital role in improving the climate and environment of our planet. When we recycle, we reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills, conserve natural resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Landfills pose a severe threat to the environment and public health. They release a significant amount of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, which is responsible for global warming. Landfills are also a breeding ground for disease-carrying rodents and insects, which can spread diseases to humans and animals. By reducing the amount of waste that goes to the landfill, we can reduce the threat to the environment and public health.

Recycling also conserves natural resources such as trees, minerals, and water. For example, when we recycle aluminum, we reduce the need for mining bauxite, the primary source of aluminum. Mining bauxite is an environmentally destructive process that leads to deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. Recycling one ton of aluminum saves four tons of bauxite and 14,000 kilowatt-hours of energy.

Recycling also conserves water. Making paper from recycled pulp requires significantly less water than making paper from virgin pulp. For example, one ton of recycled paper saves 7,000 gallons of water compared to making paper from virgin pulp. Conserving water is critical in regions that are experiencing water scarcity.

By reducing waste, recycling helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When we recycle, we reduce the need to extract, refine, and transport raw materials, which are energy-intensive processes that produce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the EPA, recycling one ton of mixed paper can save the emission of 1.5 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, equivalent to the emissions from burning 161 gallons of gasoline.

However, recycling is just one piece of the solution to address climate change and environmental degradation. We also need to reduce the amount of waste we produce by adopting sustainable practices, such as reducing, reusing, and repairing. Moreover, we need to transition to a circular economy, where materials are continuously reused and recycled, and waste is minimized.

Recycling has proven to be an effective way to improve the climate and environment. By reducing waste, conserving resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we can make a significant impact on the planet's health. However, recycling is just one part of the solution. We need to adopt a comprehensive and systemic approach that looks at the entire life cycle of products and materials to address the root causes of waste and environmental degradation.