Is Recycling Worth It?

Some people claim recycling is the best way to conserve our raw natural resources. They believe that reducing waste will, in turn, reduce the amount of landfill space required. We primarily recycle plastic, glass, paper, and metal. It is said that recycling saves money, landfill space, and helps the environment. On the other hand, many people wonder if recycling is worth the effort.

One factor to consider regarding recycling is the cost. Those who argue against it wonder if it is cheaper to create more landfill space and bury the recyclables. It takes a lot of energy to recycle. The energy used in recycling processes can be both expensive and damaging to the environment by producing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Another cost factor is curbside recycling. It costs money and requires transportation. Vehicles create pollution. However, over the past few decades, the process has been streamlined. Now, in many cities, the process is less expensive.

Others argue that it depends on how many recyclables make it to the recycle stations. If more recyclables are on hand, it is more cost-efficient to sort and recycle the items into reusable materials. For example, plastics are coded based on their type. Often different types of plastics cannot be recycled together. Until recently, separating them by hand was very time-consuming and expensive. Now, plastics are cleaned and used together to make new types of products.

Another issue is the demand for recycled items. If the demand is low, the recyclables sit and begin to decay. The good news is that through new technology and new products, the demand for recycled material and items is on the rise. This makes recyclables more valuable and cost-effective to produce.

Inefficiencies and legitimate questions regarding recycling remain, but the processes have improved to the point that the cost-effectiveness has become clear. Recycling is better for the environment than producing from new, raw materials.