Recycling: Why, When, Where, and How?
The amount of trash that we dump every week goes directly to the sea affecting marine life. Moreover, it also results in climate change due to environmental pollution.
Natural disasters such as floods, droughts, tsunamis, and hurricanes are a result of climate change. They result in not just a loss of millions of dollars but also a loss of precious lives. There’s a need to do something about the situation and the key lies in being thoughtful and planning carefully.
We have already caused a lot of damage to the planet. While governments and other organizations are working towards improving the situation, we have to play our part as well.
The most important thing is to reduce trash and to know what to do with scrap. You do not have to throw away your trash. Either put it in the bin and let it be taken care of, or consider recycling.
Almost anything can be recycled, from useless plastic bottles to dead machines.
Let’s have a look at some of the advantages of recycling:
- Helps The Environment: This is the biggest benefit of recycling. It helps keep the environment clean. Recycling means no trash on the road. As a result, there is reduced pollution which helps not just you for everyone else as well.
Of course, not everything is recyclable but most items are. Scientists have even found a way to use trash to make energy. Many countries even purchase trash from other countries due to how affordable energy generated from trash is.
- Can be a Source of Money: Yes, recycling can help you save money. You can turn a useless item into a useful one or sell it in the market.
Let’s imagine a used carpet that you think is of no use to you. You have three options here. These include:
- Throw it away
- Be creative and use it
- Sell it
Sadly, a lot of people oft for the first option, either because they are lazy or not aware of how such an item can be used. You can cut parts of the carpet and use it as a rug or a car mat. There can be several other uses, too.
Other than this, you can find buyers who may be interested in buying a used carpet. Some people want to save money and purchase used items. Some industries may also be interested in buying scrap carpet.
The option is available for other industries and products as well, especially material. No material ever goes to waste. Consider your computers. They contain iron, zinc, platinum, silver, and gold. Yes – gold.
All this can be sold in the scrap market once it is of no use to you. They will not only pay you a hefty sum for what you consider useless but may also use it in the industry. Solid steel, for example, can be used to manufacture portable scaffolding
- Saves Scarce Resources: Natural resources are depleting at a rapid pace. If we do not do anything today, we may be out of oil and other such resources in no time.
Recycling can help reduce such wastage. The concept is quite simple. Let’s assume you have a plastic bottle. You need a lot of material and energy to build it. If you keep using the same bottle – for as long as it is safe and healthy – you will reduce the need to build a new one, hence saving scarce resources – including energy.
This low consumption of energy will not only have an impact on bills (you pay less when you use less) but on the environment as well. Low production means low pollution means reduced global warming.
Here’s are just some main uses of scrap material:
- Industrial Uses
You can sell your scrap material to industries where it can be used for several purposes.
For example, recycled plastic can be used by the construction industry to build floors, pipes, and drainage in the construction industry.
Metals, such as steel and copper seem to be in most demand. This is because such metals can be given any shape. However, you may not be able to sell these directly to the industries as they typically purchase in bulk. You may, however, reach third-party buyers and let them deal with it.
- Personal Uses
If you are creative, you can use scrap on your own. Do some research and you will come across dozens of DIY ideas that involve trash.
For example, you can use old cans, pots, and bottles to plant trees. This will not only help the environment but can also reduce trash.
It is all about taking a step and helping the environment.
Where Do I Start?
Right from where you are. If you have trash lying around, look for companies that may be interested in buying it or look for ways to use it.
Almost everything can be used. You only have to know how. People have built ha ouse using the waste material. However, if you can’t find buyers or unique ideas, make sure to get rid of scrap in a way that it doesn’t add to waste.
