The continuous increase of the human population and excessive consumption patterns based on a linear economy, have led us to the excessive generation of waste. In this way, recycling arises as a possible alternative for their management. Cartons, papers, bottles, clean and dry plastic containers, glass and can are some of the many materials that we can recycle.
Recycling is one of the best known valorization processes that contribute to reducing the volume of waste that reaches final disposal and all the negative impacts that they generate on the environment. Would you like to learn more about recycling? Do not miss the following ecology article in which we tell you Why it is important to recycle.
What is recycling
Recycling is a process by which waste is transformed, either through physical, chemical, mechanical or biological methods, in order to take advantage of the raw materials that constitute them for the production of new products. In this way, The same material is used several times in order to transform it In a different product, equal to or similar to the original, either industrially or handmade. Recycling is a process of resource recovery.
Discover the different types of recycling.
What materials can we recycle
Here we present a list of all the materials that can be recycled. It is very important that everyone is clean and dry:
Cardboard
- Boxes
- Trays
- Kitchen and toilet paper rolls
Paper
- White paper
- Diaries
- Magazine paper
- Cardboard
- Posters
- Envelopes
- Tickets
Discover why it is important to recycle paper and cardboard.
Glass
- Bottles
- Bottles
- Crockery
Metal
- Cans (of drinking, canned food)
- Aerosols
- Environment and body deodorants
- Aluminum trays and papers
- Griferia
- Keys
- Locks
Plastic
- Bottles (drink, oil, vinegar, cleaning products)
- Packaging (shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, creams).
- Food wrappers
- Film paper
- Por espán
- Caps
- Bags
- Disposable dishes
Now that you know in detail what recycling is and what materials we can recycle, let’s discover what is the importance of recycling. In addition, here you can consult the price of recycling garbage cubes.
Reduces the volume of waste that reaches final
The recycling process allows us to value certain waste and Transform them into new productspreventing them from reaching final. In this way, their volume is reduced, the space they occupy and the negative impacts that they generate in the environment and in the health of people.
Reduces negative environmental impacts
By reducing the amount of waste that reaches landfills, sanitary landfills or open sky landfills, recycling is a process that positively impacts the environment, since rEduct the amount of toxic gase emissions that are released to the atmosphere, the generation of leachate, product of the decomposition of the waste, and the bad odors that attract the presence of vectors such as rats and mice that can transmit diseases to human beings.
You may also be interested in this article about 4R of recycling.
Save energy
While recycling implies a certain energy cost, this is much lower than the energy spending generated by producing a new product. Extracting resources, transporting them and converting them into a new raw material is a very expensive process in terms of energy and time. Is less expensive to recycle a material to manufacture one from zero!
Reduces the use of natural resources
If we recycle materials we can obtain new raw materials for the elaboration of a product. This leads to reduce the processes of extracting environmental goods that are usually invasive and pollutants. We live on a finite planet, so We need the goods that we extract last and circulate in the production chains as long as possible before discarding them.
Decreases CO2 emissions and contributes to climate change mitigation
The extraction and transformation and processing of materials They contribute greatly to GHG emissions (Greenhouse gases) and the industry is one of the main responsible. Recycling activities require less energy than the production of virgin materials, therefore they contribute to reduce GHG emissions.
We recommend this article on solutions for climate change.
Create new jobs
The waste recycling process implies the participation of workers, since the materials must be classified and separated prior to their transformation. In turn, it allows labor inclusion to those informal workers who find in the collection and sale of waste a path for daily survival. It is not just about generating jobs, but Provide decent job and protect workersespecially those in a state of vulnerability.
Although, recycling is an important process of valorization that has positive effects on modern societies, the best option is to always reduce consumption, reject those single -use materials and be aware when choosing a product, since the best residue is the one that is not generated.
Now that you know why it is important to recycle, we invite you to read this other ecology article about the best recycling phrases.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why it is important to recyclewe recommend that you enter our recycling and waste management category.
- National Geographic Writing. (2022) “Why is it important to recycle? 5 Data you need to know. “Available at: https://www.nationalgeographicla.com/medio-ambiente/2022/05/por-que-es-importante-reciclar-5-datos-que-necesitas-saber