Advantages and Disadvantages of Recycling (pros and cons of recycling)

Advantages and Disadvantages of Recycling

Many of us feel overwhelmed by the term ‘recycling’. Recycling is a form of waste management that involves converting waste and other used materials into reusable products. Recycling helps to reduce energy usage, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce air pollution and water pollution (from land filling) by reducing the need for “conventional” waste disposal and also reduces greenhouse gases emissions. Before taking the bold step of recycling, it is crucial to understand the good and bad involved in this process.

Some of the wastes that can be recycled include:

1.       Plastic: Which include water bottles, plastic bags, plastic wrappers and rubber bags.

2.       Glass: Glass products that can be recycled include wine and beer bottles and broken glasses

3.       Paper: Such as magazines, newspapers, books, envelopes and cardboard boxes

4.       Metals: Like empty tomato, soda and fruit cans.

5.       Other waste products that can be recycled include textiles, tires, and electronics.

The Recycling process

Collection of waste materials and processing

Waste materials are collected through drop-off centres, curb side collection, deposit or refund programs. The waste materials are then transported to a materials recovery facility or recycling centres where they are sorted out, cleaned and processed into ideal materials for manufacturing. The recyclable waste materials can be bought and sold the same way raw material would be. The prices fluctuate depending on demand and supply throughout the country.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is where the processed waste materials are converted into useful products. Many products in the modern day are manufactured using recycled waste materials. Common products manufactured using waste materials include paper towels, newspapers, steel cans, soft drink containers made of plastic glass and aluminium and plastic laundry detergents.

Dissemination of manufactured products to the market

The finished recycled product is then made available on the market. You can be part of waste reduction campaigns by purchasing products made from recycled materials. It’s pretty easy to pinpoint products of recyclable material because the words are plastered on the labels.

Recycling has a plethora of advantages to humans and environments. Surprisingly, the whole process of recycling comes along with some shocking impacts unknown to a lot of people. Let’s look at some advantages and disadvantages to recycling.

Advantages of Recycling

·         Recycling minimizes pollution

·         Protects the environment

·         Recycling minimizes global warming

·         Conserves natural resources

·         Recycling cuts down amount of waste in landfill sites

·         Recycling ensures sustainable use of resources

·         Recycling contributes to creation of jobs

·         Reduces energy consumption

Disadvantages of Recycling

·         High upfront capital costs

·         Recycling sites are always unhygienic, unsafe and unsightly

·         Products from recycled waste may not be durable.

·         Recycling might not be inexpensive

·         Recycling is not widespread on large scale