Benefits of Recycling

Benefits of Recycling Recycling has been around for generations, sometimes in different forms, but still around. Earlier generations preserved food items, a unique form of reducing, or recycling (Blashfield and Black). Most people see recycling as throwing paper, plastic, glass, and other items into a blue bag then throwing it on the street for a local company to dispose of; however, others reduce and reuse items to recycle and make items last longer. Recycling has been proven to make a difference in many aspects of materials and energy. According to Nicky Scott, “The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle will operate a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.” Recycling doesn’t have to be complicated and tedious; it can be easy and very beneficial. As society has grown and the impact of the economy has set in, recycling has become more popular. Many people are seeing the gracious financial, economical, and useful benefits of recycling and its components. Not only are individuals recycling, but businesses are too. “Greening the office will therefore have significant benefits environmentally and financially…as many other businesses have experienced” (Clift and Cuthbert 1). Businesses are realizing, as well as individuals, the positive effects of recycling. The benefits of recycling are endless. Virtually anyone can accomplish the task and make a positive change while doing it. With so many items that can be reused or recycled, every person should recycle. According to Nicky Scott “thirty percent of America now recycles.” Everyone in America should recycle because it helps the environment, benefits society as a whole, and is a cost effective choice. Recycling efforts have been proven to help the environment we live in. Reducing, reusing, and recycling truly help the environment and essentially preserve it. Simple items such as composting help the environment. “Recycling and composting diverted nearly 70 million tons of material away from

Cited: Blashfield, Jean, and Wallace Black. Recycling. Danbury: Children’s Press, Inc., 1991. Clift, Jon, and Amanda Curthbert. Greening Your Office. White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing Company, 2007 Heneffe, Braeg National Recycling Coalition. “Recycling Benefits: The Many Reasons Why”. 2009. 7 Dec 2009. Opposing Viewpoints and Mitchell Young, Book Editor Scott, Nicky. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing Company, 2007. Print