Why Reducing and Reusing is Much Better than Recycling

About 2 million people (BIR) in the world handle recyclable items more than 600 million tons annually. This is a result of the growing worldwide interest in waste and carbon dioxide emissions. Recycling is a controversial topic as many people are taught that recycling is the most influential way to reduce the environmental impact. However, according to the New York Times, "Recycling can be the most wasteful activity in modern America, wasting time and money, wasting human resources and natural resources" (Tilney).

Have you heard the word "reduce, recycle, recycle"? Some of the environmental conservationists think that "reduction" and "reuse" have environmental advantages over "recycling". This is because if you consume fewer items, the environment consumes more than you, and you can recycle. This is due to energy recycling and manufacturing of recycled materials. Some people say that the environmental benefits of recycling are overestimated as they not only require energy but may cause pollution. It is said that it is especially recycling of electronic products. Many electronic products used for recycling are shipped to overseas developed countries that are screened by hand. During the selection process, metals and other chemicals may penetrate the land and water for recycling. This will damage the environment and its inhabitants.

Many of us say: Reduce, reuse, and recycle. As a review, this means that we should reduce the amount of waste entering the landfill, recycle the items over and over and recycle the items no longer suitable for use. By repeatedly using materials such as glass bottles and plastic containers, demand for new plastics has also decreased. Of course, energy is still needed for recycling (it is not composting), but product life may be longer than composting and conversion to soil. Others may argue that the same compost may grow up in the form of food.

But the truth is that reusing items is better than just recycling. Yes, recycling soda bottles and newspapers is better than starting new ones. But to turn old bottles into new bottles still needs energy and pollution. In addition, it only works if people forget to purchase a recycled product "closed cycle". But when reusing a bottle you already own, you will stop in vain. The energy used to make the bottle is already in use; it does not need 1 watt to use it again. When reusable bottles can replace more than 1,200 disposable bottles per year, you will save more energy each time you use it - and more money