These days most people are aware of recycling and that we should be doing our bit to recycle where we can. But while we may be well aware we should recycle, do we know why? What benefits does recycling offer to us as individuals and the environment?
Here are a few facts on the environmental benefits of recycling to hopefully make you think twice about where you throw away your next empty can, bottle or container…
Conserves natural resources
Such as oil, coal, trees, water and minerals. For example, paper can be recycled up to seven times and glass, aluminium and steel infinitely so it does seem a little wasteful to use raw materials each time to manufacture new products. The paper recycling process also uses 90% less water than making it from scratch.
Reduces energy consumption
The recycling process of many items often uses less energy than starting the whole manufacturing process from virgin sources. For example the paper recycling process uses up to 50% less energy than making it from raw materials.
Saves landfill space
By recycling items this saves the space that is used for waste disposal. In Melbourne there is talk of a good number of our landfill sites reaching capacity and closing down within the next decade. We need to try and slow down the rate at which the landfills are being utilised. Recycling is key in this aspect.
Decreases pollution/cuts greenhouse gases
Landfill sites not only look pretty ugly with waste piling up and flies buzzing around but also have a foul smell. But looking past these more cosmetic aspects, more importantly they are emitting dangerous toxins, leachate and greenhouse gases.
When organic material such as food scraps and green waste is put in landfill, it is generally compacted down and covered. This removes the oxygen and causes it to break down in an anaerobic process. Eventually this releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.* To help eliminate this issue we can compost our food scraps and green waste. Click here to find out more about a food organics recycling programme.
May save you money
From a business point of view reducing your waste to landfill can save you money when proper recycling schemes are put into place. KS Environmental can send out an experienced representative to your site to assess your business’s needs.
Seeing it on paper
KS Environmental offers our clients monthly reports which calculate the tangible environmental benefits of recycling. For more information about these reports please click here.
To find out about any of the recycling services KS Environmental can offer you please contact us.
Sources: planetark
* http://environmentvictoria.org.au