Page 26 - SilverLakes_Issue 6_2022

SILVER LAKES RECYCLING

As resource and waste management becomes an increasingly
pressing challenge for countries all around the world, the fact is
that businesses, communities, families and individuals all need to
commit to making sure that recycling becomes part of their daily
lives.

THE IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING
Conserves resources
In 2017, the Global Recycling Foundation reported that we use
a year’s worth of natural resources in just seven months. New
products are made by extracting raw materials through mining and
cutting trees. Recycling helps to conserve important raw materials
for the future.

LessIsMore.org stated the positive impact of recycling on waste to recycling companies. This means recycling can definitely
conserving natural resources: put some money in your pocket.
• 1 ton of recycled plastic saves 16.3 barrels of oil.
• 1 ton of recycled office paper saves 17 trees, 463 gallons Cleans the oceans
(1 753 litres) of oil, and 7 000 gallons (26 500 litres) of water. A total of 8 million metric tons of plastic ends up in the ocean every
• About 1 ton of recycled steel saves 1.8 barrels of oil and year, causing massive harm to marine wildlife. Recycling helps
3.05 cubic metres in a landfill. prevent plastic products from ending up in the ocean.

Saves energy Saves our natural habitats
When recycled materials are used in the manufacturing process, Trees are destroyed to make paper. This not only reduces the
the amount of energy used is comparatively less. The following oxygen in the atmosphere but also eliminates natural habitats.
recycled materials, if used, can save a significant amount of energy: When recycled materials are used to make new products, it reduces
• Paper: 60% less energy consumption the need to cut down trees and consume natural resources, thus
• Aluminum: 95% less energy consumption preserving natural habitats.
• Cardboard: 25% less energy consumption
• Plastic and glass: 35% less energy consumption

Helps protect the environment
In order to manufacture new products, raw materials need to
be extracted, refined and processed. This causes air and water
pollution, and the greenhouse gases emitted during the process
cause global warming. Recycling reduces the need for raw
materials, thus reducing pollution. It also saves energy, which in
turn reduces the greenhouse gases released, thereby helping to
tackle climate change.

Reduces landfill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that
Americans recycle 34% of the waste they create and landfill the
remaining 66%. When we recycle, less amount of waste is sent to
the landfill.

An EPA fact sheet from 2014 states that the materials present
in the landfills can be easily recycled or composted: paper and
paperboard (14%); rubber, leather and textiles (10%); food waste
(21%), and plastic (18%).

Saves money
Recycling and using recycled products will help you save money.
For example, you can recycle vegetable and fruit waste, grass and
leaves to make compost. Additionally, you can sell your recyclable

24 | INTRAMUROS JULY 2022