Waste Management: The Importance Of Recycling

The world population is growing and currently, each human being adds significant waste to the planet over his or her lifetime.

Waste management is important because improperly stored refuse can cause health, safety and economic problems. Humans produce large amounts of non-biodegradable waste. Additionally, many types of garbage may be damaging to the soil, ground water and surrounding habitat.

Recycling is the process of reusing items from which utility can still be derived. It involves making new products out of recycled materials. This protects natural habitats for the future and reduces the need to consume precious resources. Recycling saves energy and reduces the garbage in landfills. To prevent damaging the Earth’s

Recycle your empty ink and toner cartridges.

Use greywater from the washing machine or bath to water the garden.

To reduce waste, avoid individually wrapped items and buy food, like grains and cereals, in bulk. Buy products with less packaging.

Reduce the amount of water you use by reducing your showering time.

Buy recycled paper and print on both sides to save paper.

Reduce food waste by planning meals and creating a list of what you need before you go to the grocery store. Recycling creates new, well-paying jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries.

Recycling is energy efficient.

It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and therefore global warming.

By utilizing waste products in a constructive way, we can slowly decrease the size of our landfills and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

By recycling one ton of paper, you can save 17 trees, almost 7 000 gallons of water and more than three cubic yards of landfill space.

Recycling decreases pollution levels.

Recycling allows old items to be re-used so that new resources do not have to be exploited. It conserves natural resources such as water, minerals, coal, oil, gas and timber for future

People start working together in recycling programs, lobbies, and free recycle organizations to help prIf we do not recycle and control our waste, we will eventually run out of natural resources.

Our landfills will fill up quickly because of increased waste.

Pollution levels will increase.

By not reducing, re-using and recycling, natural habitats will be destroyed.

Improperly stored refuse can cause health problems and spread diseases.

An article from SACSIS.org.za titled South African Waste Management in Crisis, mentions the landfill issues Swellendam was faced with due to poor waste management. In order to deal with their problem of waste disposal, the local municipality had intentionally set fire to its landfill. This resulted in the entire town being smothered by toxic smoke coming from the town dump. Landfill workers were exposed to these dangerous conditions and town locals also experienced respiratory distress.

This article highlights the consequences of not recycling and how increased waste puts pressure on landfills, which may end up being hazardous to human health.

Every person is a citizen of the earth.

Every contribution counts.

Together, it is our duty to protect our planet and ensure a healthy environment for us