The modern recycling movement may be powerful and beneficial, but it is not new. History shows that as early as 1031 the Japanese were reusing paper. However, today’s organized programs, which began around 1965, provide the most impressive benefits.
For example, Recycling in Suffolk County NY is helping to reduce environmental emissions and the need for landfills. Area businesses like V. Garofalo Carting Inc. have created programs that are building greener communities and creating jobs.
Recycling Creates New Jobs
Although increased income is not usually the first thing most people associate with Recycling in Suffolk County NY, the fact is those re-purposing goods helps the economy. Studies show that recycling creates four jobs for each one provided by traditional waste management.
It is estimated that recycling programs have added more than one million jobs and over $37 million to company payrolls. In addition, well-organized programs are cheaper than many waste collection and incineration operations.
Recycling Frees Up Valuable Land
Many communities have committed to recycling because it helps reduce the amount of trash that is sent to local landfills. That has a two-fold benefit. Communities are able to devote less land to waste and free up more for greener purposes, like parks.
Reducing the amount of waste in landfills also lowers a amount of toxins that seep into the earth as garbage degrades. As early as 2000 the U.S. was able to divert almost 70 million tons of waste from landfills.
Recycling Is Good for the Environment
When goods are re-purposed instead of being tossed away, there is less need to create items from scratch. That reduces the need to use natural resources like timber, water, and ore. Manufacturing with existing materials also creates less pollution than starting from scratch.
Recycling a ton of paper will save 17 trees. Recycling a single glass bottle conserves enough energy to light a bulb for over four hours. Recycling one ton of steel saves 1,400 pounds of coal, 120 pounds of limestone and 2,500 pounds of iron ore.
U.S. recycling programs benefit both local communities and the planet. Recycling creates thousands of jobs, reduces the number of landfills, and helps to conserve natural resources. Recycling also reduces the manufacturing pollution which is damaging the environment.
