Free Custom «Recycling» Essay Paper

Recycling refers to reuse of materials either in their changed or their original form instead of regarding them as waste or even throwing them away. Reusing materials or changing their form into new materials has many benefits to the environment as well as contributing in a new way towards our day to day lives. Every member of the society has a responsibility to encourage one another to recycle materials to prevent environmental pollution. This will save the environment for coming generations. Recycling is tasking at times, people in business sector might regard it as an extra cost associated with extra work in separation of reusable materials from the rest of the garbage and an extra job, hence an addition wage. They also view the process as one involving transportation cost and processing machinery. Other members of the public might regard it as a health hazard to the public due to exposing people to dirt and germs during the separation process, which might expose them to related diseases. Others regard this process as space consuming, considering the large amount of recyclables that need to be kept in their houses or compounds. For these and other reasons, community members are tempted to throw away recyclable products as waste instead of involving themselves in the recycling process. Despite all of these technicalities and problems, members of the community around the world need to be encouraged to recycle reusable products and save the environment for the coming generations. 

 

Support

Recycling help protecting the natural resources and our planet by saving energy, in fact, it takes less energy to recycle reusable materials than it takes to manufacture them from their original natural source. For instance, it takes less energy to produce papers from recyclable waste papers than it takes to create paper from woodland. In figures, it is estimated that production of recycled paper uses eighty percent less water and sixty five less energy, and produces ninety five percent less air pollution than virgin paper production from woodland raw materials.? (I Love a Clean San Diego). This also checks excess tree falling and deforestation associated with paper manufacturing. The protected energy is preserved for the coming generation. Conserving energy also translates to less use of fossil fuels whose emission to the atmosphere cause pollution. Therefore, reducing air, land and water pollution and reduces greenhouse gas emissions (Eco-Cycle’s Ten Reasons to recycle). Decomposing waste release toxic gases and chemicals as it rots at dump sites. These emitted gases pollute air and the chemical leach into underground and pollutes water. In figures, recycling of solid waste prevented the release of thirty three million metric tons of carbon equivalent (eco nature care) into the air in 2001 (Recycling-Guide). In the business sector it helps to reduce the cost of the overall products when using recyclable substance and material to collect and re-use. By recycling, the business can reduce the amount of waste it sends to the dumpsite. This also reduces the dumping cost involved with employing additional people to handle waste. It also reduces the transport cost of the waste materials to the dumpsite. Better still, two companies can exchange materials. This would cut greatly on cost if one company uses other company waste products as their raw materials. In such collaboration, the business cuts down on disposal fees and may even earn money. It may also improve relationship relations with other businesses and the recycling haulers by cooperating in recycling process. This exchange of materials while resources are depleting increase their reuse. This reduces their initial manufacturing cost, having in mind that their manufacture involves burning fossil fuels whose price is increasing by day, therefore reducing operation cost. Recycling therefore becomes the most practical way to minimize operation cost MIT (Dept. of Facilities. 2006). Recycling creates more employment for the public, and helps the economy and affords more money for the societies and makes getting the daily needs easier and affordable. In U.S. alone, recycling creates two hundred and thirty six billion pounds a year and more than fifty six thousand recycling and reuses enterprises which employ one point one million workers worldwide (national recycling coalition). Creating more recycling enterprises would create more jobs and accommodate many jobless people and improve their living standards.

Objections (on the other hand)

Recycling costs more money because of the transportation and processing costs. This calls for employing more people which translates to additional wages. This tempts many people to throw away their garbage waste unsorted. Construction and maintenance of the machinery needed in order to recycle materials costs money which most people cannot afford. Energy is also required in the recycling process. Burnt fossil fuels to produce this energy can also pollute the environment because of the gas produced in fossil fuel combustion. Also, it takes some effort and time to separate your recyclables at home. This separation can also be termed as a health hazard if this waste is not well handled. People working in the separation exercise can develop breathing related diseases and skin infections. This is as a result of inhaling poisonous gases emitted by decomposing materials and getting into contact with corrosive chemicals in the garbage.

Reply to objections:

Although some argue that recycling costs money for all the transportation and processing involved in recycling materials, it costs far much more to make new products from their original raw materials. transporting all the gathered garbage and throwing them away costs more than even the cost involved in transporting them for this causes environmental pollution which the current population pays for and also the future generations. Worst still, burying them in some holes under grounds leads to soil pollution especially when non-biodegradable materials are buried. And all of this transportation can cost less when switching to environment friendly materials and recyclable. In regards to money and cost of the machinery that are needed to recycle the materials, it cost approximately the same as the incineration machinery. In addition, the cost of recycling and reusing materials is far much less than the cost involved in manufacture of these products from their virgin raw materials for example, it costs far much less to produce papers from recyclable waste papers than it costs to produce paper from raw wood which leads to avoiding landfill or incineration fees. Furthermore the value of damaging and conserving our natural resources cannot be estimated but it is greatly high; not to forget the value of saved energy by recycling materials rather than obtaining them from their original raw materials. The time and efforts involved with sorting the garbage and separating the recyclables are worth saving and conserving the natural resources and eventually will save your own money. This is because it will save on operating cost and end up in producing recycled products which costs less and can serve the purpose. Recycled and reused products reduce environmental pollution. This reduces the risk of catching the diseases associated with polluted environment and also the loss incurred in replacing corroded materials due to polluted environment.

Conclusion

There is an urgent need for the government to encourage its citizens to recycle and reuse products and materials. This will result into more benefits to its people in cutting the cost of living, creating alternative industries. These industries will complement existing industries in producing more consumer goods for use. The new products can improve the economy of the nation by increasing exports and reducing the imports. Recycling industries will create additional jobs and reduce unemployment. This result to greater benefits in revenue generation and checking vices associated with joblessness. It will also improve the living standards of its people which are always the mission number one for any government which is development conscious (Marc J et al, 1994). Reduced pollution preserves the wildlife and the environment as a whole. Reduced trees cut checks deforestation which might lead to desertification, reduced food production and prolonged hunger spells. With an unpolluted environment, a nation produces enough raw materials for its industries and reduces imports on raw materials this results to a stable economy. Unpolluted wildlife accommodates a wide range of species; aquatic, on the land and in the air. This attracts tourists, an industry which in some nations is the pillar of the economy, especially in Africa (Themelis, Nickolas, 2004). Recycling is very important and can make a great difference. Though it cannot solve the problem of pollution and landfills overnight, it may go a long way in keeping these conditions from getting worse (Why recycling is important). People need be encouraged to put their paper into recycle bins, combine their recycling errands with others to save time and energy. Although the recycling process cannot be economical single handedly, combining efforts and means can save a lot in environmental conservation, energy and money. Therefore, it is a responsibility of every one of the community member to take part in environmental conservation through recycling of reusable waste products.