The Recycling Experts - 10 Reasons to Recycle Print

 

  • Recycling saves trees. Half the Earth's forests are gone, and up to 95 percent of the original forest area in the U.S. has been cut down.
  • Recycling protects wildlife habitat. Using recycled materials reduces the need to chop down trees. As a result, destruction of forests, wetlands, rivers and other places essential to wildlife is also reduced.
  • Recycling lowers the use of toxic chemicals. Making products from already refined waste materials reduces -- and often avoids altogether -- the need for manufacturers to use toxic chemicals.
  • Recycling helps curb global warming. Using recycled materials cuts down on the energy used in the manufacturing process, dramatically reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants
  • Recycling reduces air, water and land pollution. Making goods from recycled materials generates far less pollution than manufacturing from virgin materials
  • Recycling reduces the need for landfills. Toxic pollution from landfills escapes into the air and leaches into groundwater.
  • Preserves landfill space. No one wants to live next door to a landfill. Recycling preserves existing landfill space.
  • Recycling reduces waste. The average American discards 7 pounds of garbage every day. Most of this garbage goes into to landfills, where it's compacted and buried.
  • Recycling is good for our economy. American companies rely on recycling programs to provide the raw materials they need to make new products.
  • Recycling creates jobs. The recycling industry provides over 1 million people with jobs in the United States.