Why is Recycling Important?

Recycling has never been more important to the future of our planet and our people. The soaring global population is putting huge strain on our natural resources, and the truth of the matter is: the earth cannot support our needs indefinitely. In this article, we put in simple terms why recycling is so important and how it helps our environment.

Why should we recycle?

The earth is running out of resources to produce the materials and fuels we need. Plastics and other materials are suffocating our oceans and straining our landfill sites. One famous example of the negative impact on nature is the Great Pacific garbage patch, a collection of floating garbage located in the North Pacific Ocean. Due to the strong ocean currents in the area (otherwise known as a gyre), rubbish will continue to accumulate in the patch.

To avoid issues like this in the future, the solution is simple: reduce, reuse and recycle.

What are the benefits of recycling?

There are numerous reasons to think more closely about what you’re putting in the bin, and what you’re recycling. The top eight benefits of recycling include:

• Relieves pressure from landfill sites: Most non-recycled material finds its way to landfill sites which are already overburdened. Recycling relieves the strain on landfill sites and reduces the need to reclaim land for landfill purposes.

• Conserves natural resources: The planet’s natural resources are in short supply and cannot last indefinitely. Quite simply, our demand for materials is outweighing the earth’s capacity to provide it. When we recycle, we are helping natural resources to recover and conserve their value for future generations.

• Protects biodiversity and wildlife: Harvesting resources often damages the natural world and the wildlife that calls it home. Simply by making efforts to recycle, we can reduce the number of forests cut down, reduce pollution, and reduce harm to the wellbeing of wildlife.

• Protects people: It’s not just wildlife that suffers. Local people are affected by harvesting resources, either through displacement of their communities or pollution of their rivers. Recycling helps protect the people who live in these areas by easing the demand for resources.

• Cash benefits: Schemes exist throughout the country e.g. the bottle deposit scheme, offering cash or voucher rewards for recycling efforts. With a little research, you can discover which schemes are available in your local area.

• Saves money: Resources need to be paid for, and it’s our economy that must shoulder this burden. Recycling will limit our economy’s need to pay for fossil fuels, mining costs, and deforestation costs.

• Saves energy: The process of making new products from recycled materials uses less energy than making products from raw materials – including extraction, processing and transport. This saves energy and slashes any produced greenhouse emissions.

• Creates jobs: As greater numbers of people switch over to recycling, more jobs will be created within the recycling industry. This will, therefore, have a knock-on economic benefit.

How is Peterborough and Cambridge recycling?

Peterborough and Cambridge have launched many community initiatives and commitments in a bid to contribute to boost recycling. Just a few of these include:

• The Cambridge Green Challenge
• Cambridge Conservation Initiative
• Amey’s Waste Education Services
• The Circular Peterborough Programme

Woodford Recycling are dedicated to eco-friendly practices and aim to recycle 100% of the waste we collect to divert it from landfill and recover valuable resources. We deliver waste management solutions that you can trust, regardless of whether you own a home or business. Get some friendly advice from our experts today by simply getting in touch – we serve Cambridgeshire and beyond.