Recycling saves money, benefits the environment, helps the economy and creates jobs. Around 70% of the rubbish that we throw away can be recycled – much of this, at home, through your kerbside recycling collection.
Recycling:
Saves money
It costs much less to recycle waste than it does to dispose of it, so by recycling you are helping your local council avoid wasting money.
Conserves resources
The materials we recycle are turned into new products, reducing the need for raw materials such as trees, metal and oil. This saves resources and protects natural habitats.
Saves energy
Making products out of recycled, rather than raw, materials uses considerably less energy. It also means that energy does not need to be used to extract and transport raw materials. For example, it takes 95% less energy to make an aluminium can from recycled aluminium than it does from raw materials. Using less energy also means that we release less greenhouse gases into the environment, helping us to reduce the impact of global warming.
Protects the environment
Mining, quarrying or logging raw materials creates substantial air and water pollution. Recycling reduces the need for this extraction, saves energy and even helps tackle climate change.
Reduces landfill
When we bury waste in the ground, not only do we contaminate the land, the waste also rots to produce methane (a harmful greenhouse gas). Thanks to recycling and energy recovery, re3 now landfills less than 12% of its household waste.
Recycling myths dispelled
Whether you’re already a top recycler or simply trying your best – we salute you! In a time of climate change crisis, recycling is one of the easiest ways to do our bit for the environment. Please keep up and don’t let some common recycling myths stop you from progressing your efforts.
