Why is recycling important? What are the benefits of recycling?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve all heard of the Three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a slogan, it\u2019s about perfect\u2014it is short, can\u2019t be misunderstood, and has the pleasant ring of alliteration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To reduce<\/strong> is to cut down on what is produced and what we consume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To reuse<\/strong> is to find ways to repurpose items which otherwise are designed to be discarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To recycle<\/strong> is to submit items to be broken down into base materials and converted into future products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though this catchy phrase makes an easy-to-live-by rule, it only makes us question further. So, in this guide, we\u2019ll look at ways recycling helps the environment. Shortly after, we\u2019ll discuss common materials you can separate and recycle, as well as why those materials are important to recycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for Friends or Ideas to Help You Save the Planet? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sign up to Goodwall!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download the app now to get started for FREE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s jump right in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recycling is one of the best ways to fight climate change<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few ways recycling helps the environment and fight climate change:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When we recycle plastic, we reduce the need for more plastic to be manufactured. By recycling paper, we do our part to lessen deforestation and save trees from being cut down<\/a>. Separating cans and other metals helps to cut down on damaging mining and our growing need for raw materials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It takes much more energy to create industrial-grade materials from scratch than it does just to reform old materials and reuse them. For example, it is estimated<\/a> that \u201crecycling aluminum saves 90% to 95% of the energy needed to make aluminum from bauxite ore.\u201d Recycling saves energy because recycled materials don’t require factories to expend so much greenhouse gas emissions than they would if they had created the same item again from scratch using raw materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related Read<\/strong>: 15 Earth Day Tips to Support the Environment & Stop Climate Change<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When we cut down on the amount of new materials and natural resources we need to extract from the earth, whether through farming, mining, logging, etc., we protect vulnerable ecosystems and wildlife from harm or eradication and allow them to exist for generations to come. Recycling materials emits way less greenhouse gases into the environment than primary production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to<\/a> the Inventory of Average Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Denmark, Norway and Sweden<\/em>, here are the differences in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from primary production vs. production from recycling:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nHow Does Recycling Help the Environment?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Recycling Conserves Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Recycling Saves Energy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Recycling Protects the Environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n