Why should we recycle? As we continue to become more environmentally aware, it can be challenging to get to the root of the problem and understand the benefits and reasoning behind recycling in Australia.
The amount of people on our planet is rising daily, leading to increased waste production to the detriment of our environment. So, why should we recycle? The reasons why people should recycle will become evident in this article.
The main takeaway: Recycling should be a part of our daily routine for people, animals, the environment, and future generations to enjoy the earth in the same way we have.
Why Should We Be Recycling?
As our population grows, the more we are producing to keep up with the demand, the more waste is redirected to landfills. Soon, our finite resources will be depleted, so we will not be able to use traditional transportation methods or produce raw materials. According to the BBC, scientists suggest that over 80% of coal, 50% of gas and 30% of oil reserves will be ‘unburnable’ by 2050. The American Petroleum Institute estimates that between 2062, the world’s oil supply will be entirely gone. These are just a few of the statistics that inform us of the reasons why we should recycle. By the end of this article, you’ll have plenty of information to answer the question on your mind; “why should I recycle?”.
While there are new technologies are being developed, and numerous large organisations are assuming corporate responsibility for their waste emissions, there is still a long way to go. Part of the solution is making the switch to producing recycled clothing and switching to biodegradable product packaging. Another piece of the puzzle is educating communities on why should we recycle. Furthermore, a valuable recycling solution is developing technologies to help us manage environmental issues that continue to arise.
Let’s start by looking at the top ten reasons to recycle for a more sustainable future.
Why Should We Recycle?
So, why should we recycle? This article will outline the most significant reasons people should recycle and incorporate recycling practices into their daily lives.
The Top Ten Reasons to Recycle
1. Reduce Waste in Landfill and Rubbish Centres
One of the most pressing reasons we should recycle is that our landfill and rubbish centres fill up fast. Landfill produces harmful gases that can permeate the soil and nearby buildings. Not only is it an unpleasant odour, but it can also be detrimental to our health. Ammonia, methane, and carbon dioxide are just some of the prominent gases in landfills and can be harmful to our health.
There have been giant leaps and bounds made, particularly in the United Kingdom. In the UK, the amount of rubbish that went directly to landfill reduced from 90% in 2009 to 50% in 2019. However, there is still room for improvement. The best way to reduce the amount of rubbish dumped in landfill is to educate ourselves and others on recycling and how our efforts as individuals and collectively can have huge benefits.
2. Decreases the Need for New Raw Materials
When we create raw materials, copious amounts of finite resources are wasted by manufacturers. Not only are precious resources, including wood, minerals, water, gas, coal and oil, used in creating raw materials, but they also cost a lot more. Therefore, one of the most important reasons as to why should we recycle is to reduce the need to produce raw materials and, in turn, conserve finite resources.
3. Conserves Energy
In the same vein as conserving finite resources, one of the best answers to the question, “why do we recycle?” is to reduce energy consumption. According to the Global Energy & CO2 Status Report, global energy consumption increased by 2.3% in 2018. Manufacturing products uses a large amount of non-renewable energy. Recycling is cleaner and more energy-efficient than creating raw materials from scratch.
Materials such as plastic, glass and aluminium can be crushed and made into different materials. One of the most popular uses of recycling among popular retailers is recycled plastics to create active clothing. REPREVE® is among the most prominent company that has created polyester from recycled materials, including plastic bottles. If we focus on re-using pre-loved garments and simple recycling like plastic water bottles, we can use less water and energy than contrasting a raw material.
4. Diminishes Air Pollution
Air pollution is a significant factor to mention when answering the question, “why should we recycle?”. Recycling can help to reduce air pollution through the reduction of waste that ends up in landfill and the heavy power generation required to run the manufacturing industry. Rubbish in landfill produces toxins such as methane. Methane gas comes from food and green waste, and absorbs heat from the sun and traps it within the atmosphere. For this reason, it is considered a greenhouse gas. Additionally, recycling reduces manufacturing waste and gases enormously.
5. Lessens Water Pollution
Having clean water supplies for ourselves and future generations is a significant aspect of explaining to anyone concerned with why we should recycle. Landfill is one of the most significant contributors to water pollution. Toxic secretions can be leaked through the ground of landfill, contaminating the soil and water beneath it. Adequate recycling of e-waste materials such as batteries helps prevent these toxins from becoming part of waterway contamination.
6. Creates Job Opportunities
The recycling industry is a large industry that is predicted to grow at a significant rate of 5.2% from 2020 to 2027. As the industry grows, it creates more jobs for people. Plastics is expected to be the fastest-growing recycling product. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), “more than 12% of plastic waste is recycled or re-used per annum”. This is a great benchmark to start with; however, it is crucial to continue this growth and ensure our recycling facilities are equipped with enough staff to handle recycling demand in the future.
7. It’s Easy to Recycle
Why should we recycle? It’s easy and effortless for us to do, that’s why! The government and other large corporations make it so easy for us to recycle now that we have no excuse not to follow outlined procedures. Simple changes to everyday habits and the proliferation of recycling education are considerable influences in improving recycling schemes. Our government has set up simple measures to help us with the correct recycling management. The municipalities of numerous western countries now provide separate bins that allow us to divide our rubbish.
Recycling correctly is easy with the proper knowledge and tools. Everyday recyclable household items include finished toilet paper rolls, paper towel, aluminium, plastic and glass drink bottles, plastic bottles of household items and cans. Not only is recycling extremely easy, but it is also illegal to dump rubbish where it doesn’t belong. Those who leave rubbish, waste and other materials in inadequate locations face fines and, in extreme cases, jail time for their behaviour. Additionally, waste removal services are passionate about recycling and easily accessible to everyone. Services like Ridly remove unwanted waste within the same day, starting at just $69. You’re just a few short clicks away from making a better and more convenient recycling decision with Ridly.
8. Better Economic Security
Economic security is one of the essential considerations in answering the question, “why should we recycle?”. Sourcing materials from our own country has never been more critical. As the world paused in 2020, it became apparent that the only destinations all countries worldwide should be relying on to source their materials are themselves. When we source materials from Australia and recycle within Australia, we support Australian manufacturing and contribute to our environment’s improvement – it’s a win-win.
9. Shrinks Habitat Destruction
Preserve natural resources for future generations is another valid reason to explain why we should recycle. Creating raw materials through sheer lack of planning and recycling efforts is largely wasteful and wreaks havoc on natural habitats. We know that logging has been an issue for generations, with approximately 46% of the world’s trees cut down since logging began. If anyone asks you, “why do we recycle?”, be sure to explain that logging and habitat destruction is a significant reason.
10. Creates a Positive Impact for Future Generations
One of the best, most straightforward ways to positively impact future generations is to start making small changes to our behaviour as a global population now that will create a much more significant impact in our future. Don’t leave future generations to suffer among our mess. Let’s start making changes now so that they can enjoy the world as we have always known it.
Recycling for A Better Future
It’s a cliché, but it’s a cliché for a reason. The efforts that we put into reducing, re-using and recycling now, will pave a better future generation pathway. Rather than leaving our children with heaving landfills and toxic water systems, we can implement steps now, whether they be big or small, to build a better future for generations to come. If you have read this article, you should no longer need to ask yourself, “why should I recycle?”. We have provided a wealth of information on just a few of the reasons why should we recycle.
Changing our mindset from mindless consumption and consumerism to a more practical way of thinking is a great place to begin. Taking steps to action what you learnt throughout this article is the next step. Over to you now!
Ridly are Sydney’s greenest rubbish removal company. We’re a waste removal service that prioritise safe, responsible and sustainable disposal – whether you’re looking for household rubbish removal, commercial rubbish removal furniture disposal or electronic waste removal, we’ll make sure your junk is safely, responsibly and sustainably recycled or disposed of.