RECYCLING - WASTE SORTING
- 5 déc. 2015
- 3 min de lecture
What ?
We definitely have all already heard about recycling and waste sorting but many of us still don’t do it. Some of us will say that is because they don’t have time to do it, others will say that it’s because it’s bothering. The truth is I think that if people don’t do it, it may be as a result of a lack of information about what it really is and what impact it actually has on our environment.
But don’t worry, we are here to give you those information.
So as a reminder,
Recycling is the action that consists in converting used materials into reusable materials.
Waste sorting is the first part of recycling. As indicated by its name, waste sorting means separating reusable materials from those which are not.
Why ?
Good question ! Have you heard about pollution or global warming issues ? Well, recycling and waste sorting can help diminishing and prevent them.
One of the best way to help our environment is to diminish waste.
Indeed, when something is no longer usable, it usually goes to a landfill or ends up incinerated or we just dump it in the environment and consequently damage it (papers or chewing gum for most of us) as natural decomposition of waste produces toxic gases that contaminates air and pollutes the environment.
Waste treatment such as landfill and incineration don’t only requires a lot of energy and natural resources but also create a lot of pollution :
Land pollution produced by chemical leaching from landfills, air pollution generated by undesirable gases and fumes from incineration or water pollution from waste in oceanic garbage patches.
By recycling and thus by sorting waste, we reduce pollution made by these treatments.
How ?
As human beings as you and I, you will find out that recycling is not that complicated.
There are only 2 parts in the recycling process : collection and manufacturing.
The only thing we have have to do is to sort our household waste in order to help recycling centres gather them and recovering them to create new materials.
So our job : Waste sorting. Don’t forget, don’t send your reusable materials to landfills or let them be incinerated.
We have all kind of rubbish that compose our bin, and most of them are fortunately recyclable : compostable waste such kitchen waste and garden waste, glass, papers, batteries, electronic equipment, textiles, aluminium items.
All you have to do is to separate them and put them in the appropriate containers.
Where ?
There are more and more containers for our different rubbish. Glass containers exist since years and are almost at every corner of the streets in Ile de France. They are the big green ones, you definitely can not miss them !
Besides, you may have noticed than there are papers bins (the yellow ones) in Ile de France’s undergrounds. So next time, you’ll know where to throw your “20 minutes” or “Direct matin”.
For the most courageous and green of you, you can also bring them separately in a recycling centre.
For Who ?
For the most motivate of you.
Everybody can recycling by doing waste sourcing, it’s simply a matter of desire and habits.
Ecologic interest ?
According to Planestoscop’s statistics, every year, recycling enables a diminution of CO2 emissions of 1,8 tons in France which equals to 800,000 fewer cars on the roads.
Negative points :
- Recycling sites are often not hygienic and not safe. Diseases can usually spread in such places where all kind of waste are collected
- Recycling papers involves toxic chemicals
- Recycling is only a small way to reduce pollution
- Recycling products haven’t an unlimited period of life
Positives points :
- Recycling helps protect the environment (e.g recycled papers used to minimize deforestation)
- Recycling reduces pollution since materials such as chemicals and plastic are re-used and are not released in the environment
- Recycling saves energy and resources : manufacturing new products need a lot of energy and natural resources, re-used materials don’t necessitate as much energy and resources
- Recycling reduce landfill which generates a great quantity of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas
- Recycling creates jobs : transportation for the collection process, employees to work in recycling sites, recycling ambassador…
Sources :
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