How to Preserve our Natural Resources, Reduce Our Dependence on Fossil Fuels, Save Energy, Reduce Pollution by Recycling

You've heard how important recycling is, you want to recycle, but you're still unsure as to why? Does it really help the environment? The answer is yes. Before getting into some tips and tricks to make recycling easier and more beneficial, here are the main reasons recycling your trash is critical for preserving our environment.

Recycling conserves our natural resources, saves landfill space, conserves energy, reduces water pollution and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, recycling can save you money.

Natural resources are needed to manufacture consumer and industrial products. For example, to make aluminum bauxite ore is needed. This is the natural resource. Also energy is needed to operate the machinery that turns the bauxite ore into aluminum. In addition to using the natural resource to make the aluminum, we need another natural resource to create the energy. Most likely some sort of fossil fuels, yet another natural resource. By recycling aluminum, we not only save the raw material originally used to produce it, bauxite ore. But we save energy, which in turn saves fossil fuels. Recycling aluminum requires only 5 % of the energy that producing aluminum from raw materials requires, a substantial energy savings. By recycling we save natural resources in two ways. One we need less of the virgin materials used to create the product. Second we burn less fossil fuel because recyling requires less energy.

Recycling paper, aluminum, glass and plastic bottles all require less energy to recycle than it takes to produce from the original natural resources. As mentioned previously energy savings for recycling aluminum is substantial. Other products that have substantial energy savings when recycled are: copper 85%, lead 60%, steel up to 74%, zinc 60%. Plastics require only 10 percent of the energy when recycled and paper 60%.

Recycling requires less energy. To create energy we create pollution. Recycling requires less energy, by saving energy we create less pollution. Recycling saves landfill space. Much of the waste of today's modern society takes many, many years to decompose. When it does begin to decompose the waste releases toxic pollutants that seep into the water supply, the soil and produces deadly methane gas. Methane gas contributes to the greenhouse gas effect. Which in turn contributes to global warming.

Recycling is important and yet the vast majority of Americans refuse to take the time or effort to recycle. Simply if we do not recycle, protect our planet then the planet we leave our children will be a dirty, polluted, toxic wasteland. Is this the legacy you wish to leave behind?

Recycling saves natural resources, reduces pollution and saves energy, all this indirectly save us money, but how can recycling save you money personally. With a little creativity, recycling can save you money and even put a few extra dollars in your pocket.

* Sell Your Junk - "one man's junk is another man's treasure" Think of this old saying before you take your old books, clothes, records, magazines or furniture to the junkyard. Try selling them instead. Post them on e-bay, amazon or craigslist or hold a garage or rummage sale. Get with your neighbors and hold one for the entire neighborhood. Think of all the landfill space you will save and don't forget about the extra dollars in your pocket. Save all your aluminum cans, exchange them at a recycling center for cash. You don't get much, but hey every penny counts, right?

* Cell Phones - have a couple of cell phones laying around the house? Perhaps you've upgraded to that new model every year and just left the old ones laying in the drawer. Well many companies now offer cell phone recycling programs, some even pay you money for your old one. Don't forget about e-bay, or any of the other places that allow you to sell your unwanted goods.

* Ink Cartridges - Don't throw then away! Not only can they harm the environment if disposed of improperly but if you recycle them you might make a few extra dollars. Many companies pay you for your old ones. Look around the house for any old cartridges, ask your neighbors, co-workers and relatives. You'd be surprised how many people have a few empty cartridges laying around. Collect them and send them in, many of the same companies that will pay you for cell phones will also recycle your ink cartridges.

* By Second Hand - Shop at garage sales, second hand stores and check out the many sites on line that offer free stuff. Sounds too good to be true, getting something for nothing, but there are numerous options on the internet. These sites are a good place to help out those in need. So, if you have something that you don't want anymore post it and give it away, rather than take up valuable landfill space.