Recycling Saves Energy
The more we recycle; the less energy is needed, costs are lower and we also alleviate the harmful impacts of the processing and extraction of virgin resources on the environment.
Did you know by recycling we are helping to save landfill space and conserve natural resources; also did you know that by recycling you are saving a lot of energy?
It’s true!
Processing of usable items like wood, paper, plastic and metal needs huge amount of energy.
Raw virgin material extraction also often involves other negative effects such as water pollution, air pollution, and impacts on local communities and ecosystems.
Making products from recycled materials requires a much simpler, less energy-intensive process. Recycled materials are collected, transported, separated from other recycled items, processed, and then made into new products.
Saving Energy
ENERGY IS LIFE– all life processes are dependent on energy to grow. By utilizing less energy, we conserve the natural resources and reduce pollution. Thus, being energy efficient helps in retaining the natural resources for a longer period. Consuming energy releases carbon and other poisonous gases that can harm the environment.
Reason’s to be Energy Wise
- Conserving energy helps in saving a lot of money. Perhaps, one of the main reasons for saving energy is to cut down the expenses.
- Fossil fuels are unclean source of generating electricity and hence its conservation can help in reducing carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions;
- Conservation of energy can also help in reduction of oil spills and threats caused during procurement of oil and coal, thus, minimizing the harm to ecosystems
- In an attempt to reduce the depletion of renewable resources, scientists have pumped in a lot of money, time and efforts to develop nuclear reactors. These reactors produce immense radioactive waste, causing radioactive pollution.
“He that plants trees loves others besides himself.”
—Thomas Fuller
Easy recycling tips
ANYONE CAN FOLLOW
WATER
Reusing your grey water (e.g. bath water, dish water, laundry, basin water), can reduce the requirement for and reliance on the council’s main water supply system. This water can be recycled by pouring it into a flower bed or garden. Recycling water allows gardens to be watered during period of drought and also minimizes diversion of freshwater from sensitive ecosystems.
FOOD
Food waste should be recycled by composting that helps to capture methane emissions. Recycling of one ton of food waste helps to curb emissions of around one ton of CO2 equivalent. Composting food scraps will also ensure that your kitchen waste basket fills up more slowly and also does not smell.
GLASS
Glass can be recycled endlessly; it is one item that does not deteriorate and degrade in quality, even after repeated recycling. It is 100% recyclable
Buy Recycled
Your Dollars speak loudly - Show your support in buy recycled goods.
BIN SYSTEM
It is important to keep a proper bin in your home for your general items meant for recycling (e.g. newspapers, cardboards, glass, plastic-lined paper drink cartons, fast food wrappers made of plastic, corrugated cardboard, plastic bottles). Simple plastic tub in the laundry room does the trick to throw your mixed recycling into.
SHOP SMART
Take a couple extra minutes to and double check your shopping list and ensuring that you buy only those items which are not present in your kitchen shelf or in the refrigerator…think twice, do I really need it?!! The truth is that the best source of energy savings is the extra energy that we don’t need to obtain in the first place.
A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. ― Franklin D. Roosevelt
| Materials Recycled per 1 Ton | Energy Saving by kWh | Oil Saved in Barrels | Omitted pollutants in lbs | Water saved in gallons | Landfill space no used in cubic yrds | Other resources saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PAPER |
4,100 |
11 |
60 |
7000 |
3 |
17 |
|
PLASTIC |
5774 |
16 |
-- |
-- |
30.4 |
1-2,000 gals of gasonline |
|
GLASS |
42 |
.12 |
70 |
-- |
2 |
-- |
|
ALUMINUM |
14,000 |
40 |
-- |
-- |
10 |
-- |