How Recycling Save Our Planet?

It's fair to wonder how we can recycle to save our planet, since it seems like such a small thing to do in the face of so much else that needs to be done to reduce the threat of global warming. However, if more individuals and businesses make a concerted effort to recycle, as well as reduce and reuse, it will have a powerful positive impact.

The Basics of Recycling

Recycling is nothing new. The Greeks and Romans knew that glass could be used over and over and perfected the art of remaking it. Even wealthy people in centuries past did not simply throw things away. Old clothes could be salvaged to make new clothes, curtains or quilts. Paper was pulped and remade until it disintegrated. Tin, leather, wood…everything could have another purpose. Waste was foolish at best and in some societies, sinful.

After the second world war, the idea of mass consumerism and a convenience-based economy took hold. As more and more disposable items became available, landfills filled up. Children still earned some extra money by gathering bottles and cans for recycling and schools engaged in paper drives, but the growth of plastic and the throwaway mentality outstripped these conservation methods.

Now that the need is dire, more people are recycling, although much is still not understood. Many plastics, for example, can be recycled and turned into cloth - some hiking socks and reusable shopping bags used to be plastic. Glass can be used an infinite amount of time and aluminum and paper can be reclaimed many times before they're finally done. Even just recycling once helps keep the landfills from overflowing.

How Can We Recycle to Save Our Planet?

In recent years, more businesses and municipalities have mandated recycling programs, which has been excellent news and created a positive impact. Unfortunately, the economic downturn has meant that, temporarily, some of the costs of recycling outweigh the returns. In the long term, of course, the opposite is true, but for local governments that need to cut immediate costs, the long term is hard to see. It's up to individuals to continue to press for recycling programs to guard against spiraling future costs and environmental catastrophe. Furthermore, recycling doesn't just save money, it saves energy and resources, both of which are in precious supply.

Saving Land and Animals

There are many reasons to recycle. When we think about ways we can recycle to save our planet, we need to think not just about ourselves and our wallets, but our air and water and the creatures that inhabit both. Some of the biggest environmental disasters are the plastic bags we receive at grocery and drugstores. As little as one percent of them get recycled, although they can be recycled easily. Instead, they end up in trees, or clogging sewers, or choking marine wildlife. You can buy reusable bags that fold into the size of a coin purse and use these at drug and grocery stores instead. Or you can reuse plastic bags as garbage and pet refuse bags. Or take them to be recycled - many Whole Foods markets now offer bag recycling.

Going Bigger

There are more ways we can recycle to save our planet, although these can involve some research on your part. Instead of throwing out your old TV, DVD player, computer or cell phone, look for recycling programs! Many schools accept electronics in working order, and many charitable organizations are grateful for old phones that are easily refurbished. Keeping electronics out of landfills is vital to environmental health.

Turns out, there's almost nothing you can't recycle - household, garden and car items can all be reclaimed. For some detailed information, including programs near you, go to Earth 911 and get what you need. It's very possible we can recycle to save our planet, but it means we all need to get together and do our part with commitment.