Recycling

It is generally believed that in many Western countries as the quality of life of its inhabitants rises also the amount of waste generated increases too. The steady increase of waste generation is an increasing problem and the question of what to do with all this waste is one of the great problems of societies in the developed world.
Accumulation of such waste in landfills is not a solution to the problem as it harms both the people and the environment. National, regional and local government should encourage the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste we generate in our homes. Although there are initiatives and waste and trash is becoming easier to recycle, us as consumers should reduce the waste we generate and separate garbage for proper reuse or recycling.

Some tips to consider when recycling

According to the European Commission for Environment, if we separate glass, paper and cardboard, plastic and cans from other garbage we will avoid CO2 emissions and increase energy consumption.

•    Recycling one aluminum tin can would save up to 90% of the energy needed to make a new one. This could mean as much as 9 kg of CO2 emissions per pound of aluminum. For every kg of plastic recycling, we can save 1.5 kg of CO2 emissions, for each kg.
•    For glass recycling the savings are 300 grams of CO2 emissions for recycling up to 1 kg.
•    For paper rather than bringing it to landfill, recycling avoids 900 gr. of CO2 emissions and also significant methane emissions. Recycled organic or garden waste can be converted into compost.
•     Landfills are responsible for 3% of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, because of the methane released by decomposing biodegradable waste.

Recycle and Reused paper
•    Reuse the white face of the printed documents. Photocopy and print on both sides. Most copiers on the market allow for printing both sides.
•    Promote paperless communication via email. Each ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees.