How+Can+Recycling+Save+Natural+Resources?

Recycling is a process that turns old materials into new ones. By reusing waste products, energy is saved and new materials are not wasted. Most items that are recyclable are made of paper, glass, aluminum or plastic. It is especially important to recycle paper and plastic, so that less trees will be cut down to make paper and not as much oil will need to be used to create the plastic.

About 40 percent of our waste comes from paper. If all this paper were recycled instead, we could save millions of trees and cut down on the waste products that are going into the environment. Recycling one ton of paper would save 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water, along with fuel and energy. Paper can be recycled about seven times before it begins to fall apart, so even previously recycled paper can go into the recycle bin. Paper items that can be recycled are loose paper, envelopes, paper bags, wrapping paper, cardboard, soft-cover books, newspapers, magazines and cardboard egg trays. While most recyclable objects can be put out on the curb to be recycled, others cannot. For example, old computers and printers can only be recycled if they are brought to specific recycling centers. Metal cans, aluminum foil and trays, certain metal items, glass bottles, plastic bottles, juice boxes and milk cartons can also be recycled. Remember to rinse all kitchen items thoroughly before recycling them. Large metal items, such as washing machines and water heaters, are also able to be recycled.

After Christmas, trees can also be put out for recycling. The recycled trees are used to make mulch or compost. Anything that has been soaked in liquid or food cannot be recycled. This includes items like napkins and paper plates.