What is Recycling?

Recycling is the reprocessing of materials

into new products. It is a key concept of
modern waste management and is the
third component of the waste hierarchy.
 Waste Hierarchy
• The waste hierarchy refers to the “3 Rs” or
in other words reduce, reuse and recycle,
which classify waste management
strategies according to their desirability.
 Recycling Purpose
• The purpose of recycling is to prevent
useful material resources being waste.
• Reduced the consumption of raw materials
and energy usage.
• Avoid gas emissions.
• Conserve our environment
 Recyclable Materials
Also called “recyclables” or “recyclates”,
may originate from a wide range of source
including the home and industry.
Examples of these may be:
• Glass
• Paper
• Aluminum, iron, asphalt
• Textiles and plastics
 Benefits
Recycling is beneficial in two ways:
1. It reduces the inputs (energy and raw
materials) to a production system.
2. Reduces the amount of waste produced for
disposal.
For Example: Recycling aluminum saves 95% of
the energy cost of processing new aluminum
because the melting temperature is reduced
from 900 °C to 600 °C. It is by far the most
efficient material to recycle.
 Benefits
Recycling reduces the environmental, social,
and usually the economic costs of
manufacturing. This means we are
conserving and protecting the natural
resources therefore we are helping planet
earth with contamination problems.
Causes of Pollution and Waste
• Industry: We used a lot of products and
therefore depend on them. But for products to be
made they need to go through a process where
they used energy.
• Natural Causes: Natural fires on forests also
produces a large amount of carbon dioxide.
• Animals: Cows are one of the major producers
of smog in the world. (it’s inevitable)
• People: Along with industry are the major
producers of pollution and contamination in
aspects.
 Waste
In 2005 the United States generated
approximately 245.7 million tons of waste.
It is important to keep in mind that all
these waste materials take hundreds and
sometimes thousands of years for it
become part of the earth again.
Processing techniques are not only costly
but use a lot of energy so they can should
be used as last option.
 How can we help recycle or stop
polluting?
• Try no to litter the streets and throw garbage to
special recycling places.
• Try to separate was in different categories for
people in recycling center work more efficiently.
• Try not to waste or make bad used of polluting
resources such as gasoline and other gas
emissions.