Page 17 - Environmental_Ecology

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4.2 Main importance of recycling

Recycling is one of the best ways for you to have a positive impact on the world in which we live. Recycling
is important to both the natural environment and us. We must act fast as the amount of waste we create is
increasing all the time.

The amount of rubbish we create is constantly increasing because:

• Increasing wealth means that people are buying more products and ultimately creating more waste.
• Increasing population means that there are more people on the planet to create waste.
• New packaging and technological products are being developed, much of these products contain
materials that are not biodegradable.
• New lifestyle changes, such as eating fast food, means that we create additional waste that isn’t
biodegradable.

4.2.1 Environmental importance

Recycling is very important as waste has a huge negative impact on the natural environment.

• Harmful chemicals and greenhouse gasses are released from rubbish in landfill sites. Recycling helps to
reduce the pollution caused by waste.
• Habitat destruction and global warming are some the affects caused by deforestation. Recycling reduces
the need for raw materials so that the rainforests can be preserved.
• Huge amounts of energy are used when making products from raw materials. Recycling requires much
less energy and therefore helps to preserve natural resources.

4.2.2 People importance

Recycling is essential to cities around the world and to the people living in them.

• Reduce financial expenditure in the economy. Making products from raw materials costs much more
than if they were made from recycled products.
• Preserve natural resources for future generations. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials; it also
uses less energy, therefore preserving natural resources for the future.

4.2.3 Economic rationale and business relevance

Analysing success stories of circular business models from a subset of EU manufacturing sectors, the Ellen
MacArthur Foundation found potential for annual net material cost savings ranging from €265 to 490
billion,2 which equates to up to 23% of these sectors’ current total input costs. The most pronounced cost
savings potential was found in the automotive sector, followed by the machinery and equipment sector,
and electrical machinery (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2012).