Recycling for better environment

Recycling is one of the 3 R’s in solid waste management. The other two are reuse and reduce. Recycling, in its strict sense, is when a product goes back to its original production process. In a general sense it means processing and treating discarded materials so they can be used again.

There is a growing need to recycle due to an increasing demand for raw materials. When we recycle, our demand for raw materials is reduced. This means our demands from our fragile environment are reduced. Power consumption is likewise reduced as the amount of energy needed for processing becomes lower.

Less energy reduces our output of harmful "greenhouse" gases from fossil fuel burning. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, chloroflourocarbons (CFCs), nitrous oxides, methane, ozone and halogens. All these (except CFCs) occur naturally, but in very small amounts.

Consider the following: Recycling one glass jar saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours while manufacturing new paper products from waste paper uses at least 1/3 less energy than making a new one from wood pulp, thus saving trees and resulting in less air pollution.

Recycled goods do not enter the litter stream, thus reducing the pollution and helping ease the garbage problem.

The following are suggestions worthy of adoption for efficient recycling:

1. Look at anything you are about to condemn to the trash bin. Examine how it can reused. Be sure there is no possibility to recycle it.

2. Recycle garbage – choose products that are less harmful to the environment.

3. Install two receptacles in your household – one for wet wastes, the other for dry waste.

4. Put your garbage in plastic trash bags for curbside collection. This will minimize scavenging by animals and littering along the streets.

5. Avoid using paper towels frequently. Use clothes or rags.

6. Let your children know that some products they are using can be harmful for or hazardous when not properly disposed of.

7. Minimize the use of paper, fuel and other materials that use natural resources.

8. If you have a yard, practice composting in order to have organic fertilizer.

9. Practice safe waste disposal. Unblock drains so that wastewater can freely flow. This will prevent stagnant water, which can pose as health hazards.

10. Save natural resources and energy by recycling things like toys and clothes. Give them to the needy people.

11. Limit open burning, especially plastics and packaging materials. They emit harmful and toxic gases.

Although recycling can be done individually, its probability of success is higher if the local governments will be more committed to its implementation.