Recycling: A Need for Accurate Processes to Protect Environment - Essay Sample

Introduction

Pollution has become a threat to even human life. Waste products such as plastic items and harmful chemicals from industrial discharge, among other pollutants, get disposed into the environment. However, the recycling process has become a better way of waste disposal. The process entails different steps to produce the final product for use by the consumers (Environmental Protection Agency 1). An error in one stage may interfere with the whole process. There is a need for the government to engage the stakeholders and educate them about the importance of environmental protection through recycling. It should also provide the necessary support to the individuals and institutions that recycle products. The recycling process involves three main stages, and it has played a critical role in environmental protection, reducing global warming and saving energy and natural resources, which has proved to be friendly to the environment.

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The process of recycling has three main steps that include the collection of materials, processing, and purchasing of the already recycled products (Environmental Protection Agency 1). All the steps are critical in closing the loop. If any of the above steps miss, the benefits of the entire process would be reduced significantly. The first step involves the collection of the materials to be recycled. The collection method varies depending on the community. Curbside, usual garbage collection or drop off locations for the recyclables can be used in this step. In some areas, refund program for specific items such as can and bottles is used. The materials collected are then taken to the recovery facility for sorting and preparation into commodities for sale to the processing firms. Sorting machines carry out the task based on the properties and the final product to be produced. For example, the sorting of plastic items depends on the type of material and color, among other features (Raju 3). It is vital since different types of plastics have to be processed differently as some of the facilities can only recycle one kind of plastic. Any mistake arising from processing a different type of plastic may reduce the efficiency of the entire process and require the whole batch to be sorted again. The recyclables must also be washed before processing to remove impurities and other unwanted materials. It is also necessary to remove labels, food residues, or adhesives to eliminate the chances of poor structural integrity in the final product.

The next step is processing, which involves breaking down, melting, and liquefaction of the recyclables into basic elements. The elements become raw materials and then mixed with other resources. Different processing methods are used depending on the type. For example, items such as papers, glass and products made of certain plastics require crushing or shredding to extract raw materials or basic elements. The last step, which completes the loop of recycling, involves the purchase of recycled products. Most of the products made today have content totally or partially recycled. For example, some of the eco-friendly products are produced using recycled materials. Such products help in reducing the need for acquiring new raw materials, which may lead to environmental degradation. It also reduces the amount of waste in landfills as it can be recycled to make products. After the purchase of the recycled goods, materials are collected again, and the process continues, and this has played a central role in protecting the environment from the buildup of waste materials (Environmental Protection Agency 1).

The current recycling process should continue as it has benefited people, animals, and the environment significantly. Recycling has helped in environmental protection (States of Jersey Para. 4). Different forms of pollution spring from industrial waste such as cans, plastics, and chemicals, among others. The recycling process minimizes the pollution levels by using these products again rather than dumping them into the environment. Recycling also reduces the amount of waste in landfills (Environmental Protection Agency 1). As people throw the waste materials into the environment after use, it is carried by runoff and deposited elsewhere. Other wastes get their way into water sources such as streams, rivers, and finally into oceans, which pose a threat to aquatic life. Ensuring these products are recycled and used again helps to keep the environment clean. Recycling plays a crucial role in the reduction of global warming, as well as its severe impacts globally (Tierne 2). The disposed waste releases a considerable amount of greenhouse gases that include carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and sulfur into the atmosphere that contributes to global warming and climate change. The process of recycling ensures minimal combustion and transforms waste into re-usable products with a minimal adverse effect on the environment (Raju 1). The entire process emits minimum amounts of greenhouse gases as only little fossil fuels get burnt.

The recycling process conserves natural resources. As the current global population continues to increase, so is the demand for natural resources. Without recycling, new products would be made from extracting fresh raw materials (Tierne 2). Recycling is the sure strategy of conserving natural resources and guaranteeing protection for their use in the future. Taking such initiative ensures sustainability and optimal use of natural resources. It alleviates the chance of discriminating against the use of raw materials when available in huge supply. The recycling process has been encouraged even at lower levels, such as schools, to protect the environment. Recycling reduces the consumption of energy (States of Jersey Para. 3). A vast amount of energy is used in processing raw materials to the finished product. The recycling process plays a critical role in saving energy, which is crucial for large-scale production, such as refining and mining. The power conserved can be used for other constructive purposes that aid in economic growth. The entire process also becomes cheap.

Currently, recycling is an environmentally friendly practice. It helps to reduce the pollutants in the environment (Raju 1). Continuous waste disposal in the environment would reach toxic levels a pose a threat to people, animals, and plants. The process also ensures zero or minimum amount of harmful gases is emitted to the atmosphere. If no recycling, a high volume of greenhouse gases would be emitted to the atmosphere, which has a grave impact on both climate and the environment. The recycling process also ensures that a product can be used as many times as possible (Environmental Protection Agency 1). The globe is facing the challenge of energy and raw materials. Recycling prevents the depletion of energy as well as raw materials.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is a need to achieve clean and healthy environment. Governments should encourage the recycling of waste products. Authorities should educate citizens on the importance of collective responsibility in environmental protection (Tierne 2). Every citizen should be aware that he or she has a role to play in environmental protection. Governments should encourage citizens to use recyclable items. It should also support other stakeholders involved in the recycling process that include individuals and institutions. It is essential to develop programs that would provide resources to boost the recycling process for the benefit of all.

Works Cited

Environmental Protection Agency. Recycling Basics, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics

Environmental Protection Agency. Recycling and Reuse, n.d. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/recycling-and-reuse

Francis, Raju. Recycling of Polymers: Methods, Characterization, and Applications. Newark: Wiley, 2016.

States of Jersey. Benefits of Recycling, 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.je/Environment/WasteReduceReuseRecycle/WhyRecycle/pages/benefits.aspx

Tierney, John. "The reign of recycling." The New York Times 3 (2015). Retrieved from: http://www.shellpoint.info/InquiringMinds/uploads/Archive/uploads/20151023_The_Reign_of_Recycling.pdf