Recycling is the process of collecting, sorting, and remanufacturing used materials into new products to reduce waste. It involves three main steps - collecting and sorting recyclables, manufacturing them into new materials, and selling the recycled products. In the US, only 34% of waste is recycled each year. Recycling helps conserve natural resources, prevents pollution, saves energy, creates jobs, and leads to a more sustainable future. Common items that can be recycled include aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, paper, and cardboard. People can recycle through curbside pickup programs, drop-off centers, or by starting their own recycling initiatives.
2. What is Recycling?
โข The act of collecting, sorting, and
remanufacturing or converting used or waste
products into new materials
โข Series of steps involved
โข Common recyclables: aluminum cans, glass
bottles, and plastic bottles
3. Process of Recycling
โข Three steps: collecting and sorting,
manufacturing, and selling
โ Collecting and sorting: gathering and categorizing
all recyclable materials respectively
โ Manufacturing: Products are broken down and
used to create new materials
โ Selling: Consumers buy recycled goods
โข โCloses the loopโ
4. Recycling Statistics
โข United States โ average waste = 200 million tons
per year
โข Recycling rate = 34%
โ Aluminum = 58.1% rate
โ Plastic = 28% rate
โข 20 recycled cans for one new can
โข Recycled plastic โ 84% reduction in energy use
6. Benefits of Recycling
โข Reduces waste in landfills
โข Conserves natural resources
โข Prevents pollution
โข Saves energy
โข New jobs
โข Sustainable future
7. What can I Recycle?
โข Aluminum cans
โข Plastics โ numbers 1, 2, 4, 5
โข Glass bottles
โข Paper
โข Cardboard
โข Electronics
โข Metals
โข Batteries
8. Where can I Recycle?
โข Curbside pickups
โข Recycling centers โ Money incentives
โ E.g. Clovis Recycling Center
โข Recycling bins
โข Start your own program!
9. Why does it matter?
โข Save the Earth
โข Save our resources
โข Decrease emissions
โข Less Waste
10. What can I do?
โข RECYCLE!
โข Sort
โข Start a program
โข Research
โข Educate others
โข Ask your school or work