70% of all waste can be recycled into new materials or objects and reused. Recycling has been proven to be a more conventional way as it helps lower air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. However, not everything can be recycled and reused.

Recyclable materials include plastic, glass, paper, metal, textile, tires and electronics. It is very important to be eco friendly and understand how your waste is being recycled or thrown out.

Advantages of recycling waste materials;

• Reduces pollution – water, air, and land pollution are a result of industrial waste like chemicals, plastics, and cans. Pollution has been a world known hazard and recycling of these materials have helped a lot in society. Instead of throwing your waste away recklessly it is good to consider if it can be used elsewhere.
• Environmental friendly – every single day trees are cut down to make paper and more paper. People keep forgetting that these trees play a big role in keeping Mother Nature alive. Many paper manufacturing companies recycle paper to reduce deforestation and conserve the environment at large.
• Global warming – this is the continuous change of climate that is affected by gas emissions in the air. Recycling plays a big role in minimizing global warming. Waste disposal emits different gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and Sulphur which contribute to global warming. The recycling process, however, involves minimal waste disposal. As most chemicals are reused, there is less emission of greenhouse gas because recycling industries burn little fossil fuels.
• Landfill sites – water pollution and full landfills are caused by throwing away reusable products. Recycling has helped with minimizing the amount of waste thrown out and has contributed to environmental degradation.
• Conserving natural resources – before recycling became popular, manufacturing companies would keep on making new products using earth’s resources through activities like mining. However, today, most companies are reusing their products and reserving the natural resources for the future.
• Employment – setting up recycling plants has brought about the creation of jobs. Collection and delivery services require manpower and therefore triggers employment opportunities for many.
• Energy consumption – recycling reduces energy consumption because it does not involve the process of getting new raw materials via mining and refining. Manufacturers do not have to look for new materials as they can reuse old ones to create new.

Disadvantages of recycling waste materials

• Capital costs – building a recycling unit center requires huge capital. The accompanying costs like vehicles, new bins, infrastructure costs, schooling the community about recycling and creating awareness programs are very expensive and time consuming.
• Unhygienic – when you visit a recycling site you will always stumble upon piles and piles of waste products. This is not only unhygienic but one can get diseases. Massive pollution surrounding the sites poses health risks to nearby water bodies and air.
• Quality – most of the recycled materials are not durable. They do not last long because the raw material has been reused. The materials are usually worn out, fragile and overly utilized. That is why the products are resold at a low price.
• Not widespread – even though recycling plays a big role in society at large, not many people have embraced it. Recycling takes place at home and schools but most local and global industries are not practicing this. Awareness of recycling does need to stop at school or in our homes. The amount of chemicals released in industries is way more than waste is thrown out in schools and homes.

Conclusion

As much as there are a few disadvantages to recycling, there are more advantages to it. We can all make the world a better place by embracing recycling.