We know that we need to reconsider our use of fossil fuels and energy in general, but one recurring thought is that we need to be using less and recycling more in order to preserve our planet.
Reusing is easy for anyone to do at home and can save you money since you aren’t always buying new things. Landfills are full of waste that could be used again, meaning there is a lot of materials stacking up that could have been used again. A landfill is a place where trash is buried deep underground, and not just in the literal sense. Landfills are basically huge holes in the ground where we throw away our garbage. They’re bad for the environment because when we bury waste, it doesn’t go away – it stays there forever.
We need to make sure that we only create new things when they’re necessary because this prevents both pollution and deforestation, two sources of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.
How creating is causing damage
We are creating more waste than ever before. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans produce 254 million tons of trash every year, a number that’s expected to rise by about 25% by 2025. And it’s not just our individual habits that make up this massive figure; corporations also contribute significantly to our collective trash output by manufacturing packaging materials and then selling them at a profit.
We must take responsibility for this problem. While recycling is good, reusing what we already have is better, and it can help save money too. By reusing items, like water bottles and coffee cups, instead of buying new ones every week or two, you’ll cut down on unnecessary purchases that are contributing to global plastic pollution.
The process of making something from scratch uses energy and creates carbon emissions. The more things we make from scratch, the more carbon emissions we will create. Recycling conserves energy and reduces our carbon footprint.
Benefits of recycling and reusing
The most important reason we should reuse and recycle is because it’s better for the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling one tonne of waste reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 2,700 pounds. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials, which means there’s less demand on the natural world and fewer resources needed to make those products in their entirety.
But recycling is not only good for the environment, it can also be good for your wallet. Reusing also has many benefits for businesses and consumers alike. It saves money by reducing production costs, which can then be passed onto customers in a price reduction or used elsewhere within the business.
So, what can we do to help the environment? Reuse and recycle! It’s easy to start doing and it can have a big impact on our planet. By reusing items instead of replacing them every time something breaks or gets worn down, we can save resources like water, electricity, natural materials like wood or plastic, plus money too!
