Recycling: The Sustainable Earth
I often have people ask me about my recycling habits. It is usually discussed after someone notices me rinsing something out and putting it in a tote bag instead of throwing it in the garbage like most people [in my area] would do. The conversation goes to my efforts in recycling in a state that does not have a lot of options.
Often, people then tell me that they would like to recycle more but don’t know where to begin. Many times, people want the “easy” route to recycling. If you are fortunate enough to live in an area that has recycling for the general population, or even better, an area that rewards people for recycling, then this article may not make much sense to you. I live in Southeast Louisiana, and while there are many people in the area that would like to recycle more, the systems in place make it very difficult for the average person—difficult, not impossible.
So why don’t people just get onboard with recycling already?
Unfortunately, many people are convinced that the cost of recycling is not worth the benefits of recycling. So many people are conditioned to think that money takes precedence over our environment. This is a very dangerous way of thinking. Money is an illusion that we all buy into—no pun intended. We all just agree that money has value to buy commodities and set worth on job skills. With that kind of mindset, our leaders and citizens will make choices that will only benefit the bottom line and their wallets—without worry about the climate disasters that we are witnessing regularly on social media and the news.
What is recycling? What are the benefits?
Recycling is the process of altering waste material into reusable materials, and it is an essential practice in today's world. There are numerous benefits of recycling that make it a crucial activity for individuals, businesses, and governments.
Recycling conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals. When we recycle, we reduce the need to extract raw materials from the earth, which in turn decreases air and water pollution. Recycling also helps in reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, which reduces the release of methane gas (a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change). As if we weren’t sold already, recycling reduces the cost of waste management because it reduces the amount of waste that needs to be collected, transported, and disposed of in landfills.
We all wish we could save energy when we get our electricity bills. Well, recycling saves energy. The energy required to make new products from recycled materials is significantly less than the required energy to extract and process raw materials. Why would we continue to extract raw materials when we already have materials to use? Additionally, recycling can help in creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. The recycling industry currently employs millions of people worldwide, and it contributes to local and national economies.
How does recycling reduce the effects of climate change?
Recycling can play an important role in reducing climate change. When we recycle, we reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills. When waste decomposes in landfills, it generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. By reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, we can reduce the amount of methane that is released into the atmosphere.
Pro Tip: Have you ever thought of creating a compost pile in your backyard for your organic waste? Some cities (like NYC—my future home) have bins specifically for this, but if you live in a place that has a yard, you can compost right there. Imagine the amount of greenhouse gases you can eliminate from landfills!
When we recycle materials such as paper, plastic, and metal, we are able to reduce the need for raw materials to be extracted and processed to make new materials. We are able to reuse what we already have. That is a significant amount of energy, effort, and damage done to the environment. The extraction and processing of raw materials can be energy-intensive and contribute to even more greenhouse gas emissions.
So far, we are seeing greenhouse gas emissions from the following:
Extracting/Processing Raw Materials
Processing New Products
Not Recycling Products
I don’t know about you, but I am feeling like that is a lot of energy being used and damage done for one product.
I’d like to first say that this is not meant to hurt anyone’s feelings or try to get people to stop using the products they love. It is just a friendly reminder for people to be more mindful about how they use and dispose of these products.
So, we have seen the amounts of energy being consumed and gases being emitted through new raw material processing. Now picture the items these can be made into. Believe me, this is just a small drop in the ocean of products this could be (and not to mention these ending up in the oceans a lot of time):
Single Use Bottles
Single Use Straws
Single Use Food Containers
Single Use Cleaning Product Containers
Single Use Hygiene Product Containers
Of course, the list can go on and on, but generally speaking, most people can identify with using these types of products.
What can you do?
It is entirely up to you, but I want to remind each consumer that is reading this:
The consumer has the power—not the companies.
If they don’t get your money for the products that are damaging the Earth, then they will be forced to change and forced to stop damaging the Earth.
Another suggestion I always recommend is to reduce as much as possible. If you consume less products—especially the products that are not sustainable—you will have less to recycle.
But sustainable products are so expensive!
That is sometimes true, but there are so many good companies available now and coming out each day that are very competitive with their pricing. Each person needs to do their research on what product and cost works best for their families.
A great place to start looking is on Grove Collaborative. They have so many specials, and it gets delivered to your door. They have companies that have already been vetted in The Grove Standard which meets their standards for ingredient transparency, cruelty-free products, and is 100% plastic neutral. They partner with brands that prioritize sustainability and reduces single-use plastics. And this is not a paid partnership. I truly believe in what they do, and I am happy to recommend them to anyone that is trying to make better decisions for the environment.
It is really about priorities. I see some people that spend a ton of money on products for their personal lifestyles, but they say they don’t have money to spend at better companies on better products. That is a choice. They have the right to choose to not do it as much as I have the right to choose. It is really up to each person on how they want to prioritize their life and purchases. I am hoping that if anyone is reading this, you’ll at least consider looking at other products in your price range that can be better for the environment.
With prices and inflation at an all time high in 2023 (when this article is written), now would be the perfect time to change products. The costs of the unstainable products are not that much cheaper if you really look at it. Sometimes, its even more. The point is to research the products available to you within your budget. It can literally save the world.
For a better tomorrow. ♡