Introduction
The human population is ever increasing as well as the wants of people, which continues to put pressure on the minimal natural resources on earth, and this threatens the mere survival of the human race (Baud, Johan, & Furedy, 2004). For this reason, there is the need to look for a way to converse the limited natural resources. Moore (2008) defines recycling as the practice of sorting out, collecting, remanufacturing or converting of waste products into new materials. The process involves a series of steps to produce new products. Waste recycling plays vital roles such as reducing the utilization of raw materials, energy convention and air pollution. Moreover, it is a key constituent of modern waste reduction. Studies affirm that waste recycling helps in extending the life and usefulness of products that have served their initial purpose by producing numerous things that are usable (Baud, Johan, & Furedy 2004). It is not only significant but also has numerous profits to humans and the natural environment. Therefore why is recycling significant and what materials can be recycled? Almost all wastes in the environment can be recycled; some of them include batteries, clothing, electronics glass, metals, paper and plastics, which are mostly made from natural assets. While recycling has become part of daily activities, many people fail to understand the full significance of recycling. In the views of many people recycling is meant to reduce the drain on the scarce resources of the planet earth (Moore, 2008). This paper highlights the importance of waste recycling and concludes that waste recycling is vital for the survival of both the natural environment and humanity.
The human population is ever increasing as well as the wants of people, which continues to put pressure on the minimal natural resources on earth, and this threatens the mere survival of the human race (Baud, Johan, & Furedy, 2004). For this reason, there is the need to look for a way to converse the limited natural resources. Moore (2008) defines recycling as the practice of sorting out, collecting, remanufacturing or converting of waste products into new materials. The process involves a series of steps to produce new products. Waste recycling plays vital roles such as reducing the utilization of raw materials, energy convention and air pollution. Moreover, it is a key constituent of modern waste reduction. Studies affirm that waste recycling helps in extending the life and usefulness of products that have served their initial purpose by producing numerous things that are usable (Baud, Johan, & Furedy 2004). It is not only significant but also has numerous profits to humans and the natural environment. Therefore why is recycling significant and what materials can be recycled? Almost all wastes in the environment can be recycled; some of them include batteries, clothing, electronics glass, metals, paper and plastics, which are mostly made from natural assets. While recycling has become part of daily activities, many people fail to understand the full significance of recycling. In the views of many people recycling is meant to reduce the drain on the scarce resources of the planet earth (Moore, 2008). This paper highlights the importance of waste recycling and concludes that waste recycling is vital for the survival of both the natural environment and humanity.
The first benefit of waste recycling is that it creates job opportunities for many people involved in the waste management process such as waste collectors (Baud, Johan, & Furedy, 2004). In addition, people who sort and process recycled items also earn a living from waste recycling. This implies that more money in the community will be spent on local stores and dispensaries. This has various benefits such as more taxes and revenues to the city or state governments, production of affordable and durable goods, clean and healthy environment, clean water, and fresh air to breathe. To sum it up, waste recycling leads to a healthier economy for everyone concerned (Moore, 2008).
The second benefit of waste recycling is fiscal efficiency as reported by various municipalities that point of out fiscal benefits accrued from the adoption of recycling initiatives, mostly in the form of reduced landfill costs Landfills pose a substantial danger to humans and animals hence, are not the best method management research undertaken by the Technical University of Denmark revealed that in 83% cases, the most effective way of disposing household waste through of waste recycling. In a different view, an evaluation undertaken by the Danish Environmental Assessment (Moore, 2008) Institute pointed out that the most efficient way of disposing household waste is incarceration. It is essential to distinguish fiscal efficiency from economic efficiency. Cost benefit analysis of waste recycling entails what economists refer to externalities. Externalities comprise of unpriced benefits and costs to people rather than private transactions such as lessened air pollution, reduced emission of greenhouse gases, decreased waste levels and resource utilization, and reduced hazardous waste materials leaking from landfills (Baud, Johan, & Furedy, 2004).
In addition, biodegradable wastes like vegetables eggshells at home can be recycled and utilized as manure this helps in saving money that would have used to buy fertilizer and instead channel it to other beneficial uses Furthermore, recycled materials are less expensive than the original products and also friendly to the environment.
The third advantage of recycling is that it saves energy; this is because less energy is required to process recycled materials than to manufacture virgin materials. According to The Energy Administration, a paper mill utilizes 40 less energy to manufacture paper using recycled paper than it needs to manufacture paper from timber (Moore, 2008).
The energy saving attribute of waste recycling culminates to a number of merits such as decreasing pollution and reducing costs of production, which creates less anxiety on human health and the natural environment. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials; as result, forests can be preserved and conserved and forests leading to a clean environment, rich and fertile soils, and enriching the aesthetic value of planet earth. Besides saving energy, recycling wastes plays an instrumental role in mitigating global warming and eradicating pollution. For instance, recycling can help in saving energy during industrial processes, which results in reduced greenhouse gas discharge from industries (Baud, Johan, & Furedy, 2004)
Businesses also benefit when they implement effective waste recycling practices because they secure improved dealings with consumers in relation to the matter of preserving the environment. Businesses reduce their production costs and can use this advantage to lower the price of their commodities; hence increasing their customer base and profitability. Businesses have an ethical responsibility of preserving the environment; therefore, waste recycling acts as one of the most cost effective methods of waste management that corporations can adopt. In addition, recycling helps to save space because a lot of space used by landfills full of garbage that can be been recycled, and converted to useful space. By 2008, a considerable portion of recyclable items were present in landfills, which created a probable growth to recycle waste materials. The Environmental Protection Agency stated that at least half of the aluminum cans had not been recycled during 2008 (Moore, 2008)
Conclusion
It is evident from the aforementioned benefits that waste recycling is the key to effective preservation of natural resources and energy, and creating a pollution free environment for the benefit of humankind. The identified benefits of waste recycling discussed in the paper include the creation of job opportunities, saving energy, fiscal efficiency, mitigation of climate change and pollution, and benefits for businesses. Therefore, people should embark on the recycling of waste materials as a means of solving some of the issues affecting the earth such as global warming and the depletion of natural resources.
It is evident from the aforementioned benefits that waste recycling is the key to effective preservation of natural resources and energy, and creating a pollution free environment for the benefit of humankind. The identified benefits of waste recycling discussed in the paper include the creation of job opportunities, saving energy, fiscal efficiency, mitigation of climate change and pollution, and benefits for businesses. Therefore, people should embark on the recycling of waste materials as a means of solving some of the issues affecting the earth such as global warming and the depletion of natural resources.
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