Recycling Benefits and Issues
Introduction
Plastics, aluminum, paper, and other materials, from food and packaging to medical devices, are essential to our lives. However, producing these materials requires raw materials from our planet. Therefore, we want to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle these items so we will continue to have these natural materials for the future.
These three Rs represent a hierarchy of actions to minimize the environmental impact of products and waste. Here's a breakdown of each concept:
Reduce: The first and most effective step is to reduce the amount of waste generated in the first place. This involves being mindful of consumption and making choices that reduce waste.
Reuse: Reusing items extends their lifespan, reducing the need for new production and minimizing waste.
Recycle: Recycling involves collecting and processing materials to create new products, diverting waste from landfills, and reducing the demand for new raw materials.
We will focus here on the third R, Recycling. It is the most effortless first change to put into our lives without disruption to be more eco-friendly. Let’s walk through what recycling is, why it is crucial for sustainability, and the issues that exist with global recycling infrastructure.
What is recycling?
Recycling is a fundamental practice involving collecting and processing discarded materials to create new products. It's a critical component of sustainable living, aiming to minimize waste and conserve valuable resources.
The process begins with separating and collecting recyclable materials like paper, glass, plastic, and metals. These materials are then transported to recycling facilities worldwide, where they undergo sorting, cleaning, and processing.
Once sorted, the materials are transformed into raw materials that can be used to manufacture new products.
Recycling was the first part of the environmental movement of the 1970s.
Why should we recycle?
Listed below are five top reasons we should recycle.
1. Waste Reduction and Landfill Diversion
- Reason: Recycling minimizes the amount of waste sent to landfills, alleviating the burden on landfill space.
- Statistic: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2018, the recycling and composting of municipal solid waste in the United States prevented over 148 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
2. Conservation of Natural Resources
- Reason: Recycling helps conserve valuable natural resources by reducing the need for raw material extraction.
- Statistic: The World Wildlife Fund reports that recycling one ton of paper saves approximately 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 463 gallons of oil.
3. Energy Savings and Carbon Footprint Reduction
- Reason: Recycling generally requires less energy than extracting and processing raw materials, contributing to energy conservation and a lower carbon footprint.
- Statistic: The U.S. EPA estimates that recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy required to make the same amount of aluminum from virgin materials.
4. Positive Impact on Climate Change
- Reason: Recycling is crucial in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with resource extraction and production.
- Statistic: The Recycling Partnership notes that if the recycling rate in the U.S. increased to 75%, it would have the greenhouse gas reduction equivalent of removing 55 million cars from the road each year.
5. Job Creation and Economic Benefits
- Reason: The recycling industry generates employment opportunities and contributes to local economies.
- Statistic: According to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the recycling industry provides more than 531,500 jobs in the United States and contributes over $110 billion in economic impact annually.
What do recycling critics say?
It's important to note that while there may be debates or challenges related to specific aspects of recycling, the overwhelming consensus among environmental experts supports recycling as a crucial practice for sustainability. However, I'll outline some points that critics raise, but it's essential to recognize that these perspectives often overlook the broader positive impact of recycling.
1. Contamination Issues in Recycling Streams
- Concern: Some argue that contamination in recycling streams reduces the efficiency of recycling processes.
- Counterpoint: Improving recycling education and infrastructure can significantly reduce contamination. According to The Recycling Partnership, education efforts have increased the quality of recycled materials, reaching a 90% success rate in some programs.
2. Economic Challenges in Recycling Markets
- Concern: Critics may highlight economic challenges, such as market fluctuations and low commodity prices, as reasons against recycling. To translate, the price of selling recyclables can often vary significantly, sometimes not covering the costs of collecting and transporting recyclables.
- Counterpoint: While markets may face fluctuations, recycling contributes significantly to job creation and economic growth. The U.S. EPA states that recycling and reuse activities in the U.S. accounted for 757,000 jobs and $36.6 billion in wages in 2019.
3. Energy Costs in the Recycling Process
- Concern: Critics may point out that recycling requires energy, potentially from non-renewable sources.
- Counterpoint: While recycling does require energy, it is generally far less energy-intensive than extracting and processing raw materials. According to the EPA, recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy needed to produce the same amount from natural materials.
4. Limited Recycling Infrastructure
- Concern: Some argue that inadequate recycling infrastructure in certain regions makes recycling impractical.
- Counterpoint: Addressing infrastructure gaps is a matter of investment and commitment. According to the World Bank, developing and improving recycling infrastructure is crucial for effective waste management and environmental protection.
5. Perceived Inefficiency in Certain Materials
- Concern: Critics might suggest that recycling certain materials, particularly plastics, is less efficient and effective than hoped. There are thousands of types of plastic, and therefore, it is hard to recycle them. There also needs to be a market for selling all types of plastics, which there is not. So, even if consumers attempt to recycle plastics, they only sometimes get recycled.
- Counterpoint: Advances in technology and increased awareness are improving plastic recycling. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation reports that innovations, such as chemical recycling, show promise in addressing challenges associated with certain plastics.
It's essential to recognize ongoing efforts to address these concerns and continuously improve recycling systems globally. The benefits of recycling, including waste reduction, resource conservation, and environmental protection, remain critical for a sustainable future.
To learn more about the difficulties of recycling, I highly recommend the Netflix film “Broken” and the episode “Recycling Sham.”
What is getting recycled?
The recycling rates can vary by material and region, but the global recycling rate is generally lower than one might hope. According to the World Bank, as of 2018, the global average plastic recycling rate was only about 9%. Here are some specific statistics for common materials:
1. Plastics
- Globally, only about 9% of plastics produced are recycled. We have a lot of work to do regarding plastics. It can take 500 years for plastics to biodegrade. Plastic is made from fossil fuels like crude oil or natural gas (i.e., not good for the planet).
- Source: World Bank, "What a Waste 2.0" report (2018)
2. Paper
- The recycling rate for paper and cardboard varies, but in the United States, the overall paper recycling rate was around 66.2% in 2019.
- Source: American Forest & Paper Association, Paper Recycling Snapshot (2019)
3. Aluminum
- Aluminum has a relatively high recycling rate. Globally, it's estimated that over 60% of the aluminum ever produced is still in use today.
- Source: International Aluminium Institute, Recycling Rates (2020)
4. Glass
- The recycling rate for glass also varies, but in the United States, the recycling rate for glass containers was around 33.1% in 2018.
- Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainable Management of Food (2018)
5. Electronics (E-Waste)
- The global recycling rate for electronic waste (e-waste) is relatively low. Only about 17.4% of e-waste was recycled in 2019.
- Source: Global E-waste Statistics Partnership, Global E-waste Monitor (2020)
It's important to note that efforts to improve recycling rates are ongoing, and these statistics may change over time. Various factors, including infrastructure, public awareness, and government policies, are crucial in determining recycling success. I hope reading this article entices you to recycle more, contributing to an increase in the above rates.
What is the bottom line on recycling?
While recycling infrastructure could be better, it will continue to improve over time. In addition, many items you place in your recycling bin get recycled and therefore save so much energy and resources - you cannot deny its help to our planet’s sustainability.
Continue to recycle as much as you can, and begin to consider the other two Rs: Reducing your purchases of waste items, and Reuse items that you already have. Be eco-conscious.
Remember, every small change makes a difference.
