Green Thoughts: Recycling reduces waste

When I think of this day and age, I can’t help but wonder what the future may hold. With the threat of global warming and greenhouse gases looming over our heads, the need to change our way of living has never been more urgent. As a country that generates approximately 4.40 pounds of garbage per person a day, one step towards a greener future would be to recycle.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling is the recovery of useful materials, such as paper, glass, plastic and metals, from the trash to use to make new products, reducing the amount of new raw materials needed. However, not only would recycling reduce the amount of new materials needed, but also help prevent the expansion of landfills, as well.

When I was younger, I never really thought much about recycling. It never really occurred to me that most of what was thrown out could be reused for something else. Then again, I never really considered that all the trash that was thrown out would sit and accumulate in a landfill, only to be buried beneath layers of dirt and other garbage.

Now that I am older, I realize the threat of landfills, as well as the pointless waste that lies in throwing out what can be recycled and reused. After all, landfills are known to produce large amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide. So why contribute to the threat of global warming when you can avoid it?

Nearly 75 percent of garbage is recyclable, such as paper, plastic, glass and metal. Also, depending on where you take your items, some electronics, such as cellphones and computers, are recyclable as well. Depending on your recyclables, you may even get paid for your thoughtfulness and consideration to Mother Earth.

For a full list on what you can recycle and where, visit earth911.com and click on “Recycling Search” to learn more.

All in all, the question isn’t whether you believe in global warming or not, but rather how wasteful you want to be? So next time, recycle, consider what the future may hold, and always remember to think green.