How Far Is Recycling the Answer to the Problems of Waste?

Unwanted or useless materials produced by manufacturing process and consumption have caused many environmental problems and health risks unless disposed properly. Excessive consumption of goods leads to unnecessary waste which takes up acres of limited landfill space. Processing and reusing the waste material to generate new product is clearly one of the solutions to tackle the problems of waste. Even though there are still alternatives such as incineration plants, landfills and education, I believe to a large extent that recycling is the answer to the problems of waste.

Firstly, recycling has helped many countries to save space in limited landfills. The number of landfills is decreasing, while the cost to send waste to them is on the rise. Most states in America have less than twenty years of landfill capacity, and it is difficult to set up another new landfill sites in densely populated areas. Indeed, recycling is largely responsible for averting the landfill crisis. In America, recycling paper has saved the country more than 90 million cubic yards of landfill space. Thus, it is true that recycling solves some problems of waste.

Recycling is also the most probable way to answer the problems of waste because it is economically efficient and energy-saving. Actually, well-run recycling plants cost less than incinerators and landfills. Recycling business also creates revenue and helps to pay for its own maintenance while landfilling and incinerators do not. Land filling never saves energy but recycling does. It takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminium than it does to make it from raw materials. By-product gasses emission such as carbon dioxide that contributed to global warming is reduced as less fuel is used.

Incinerators may seem to be the best alternative for some countries with very limited space. With more than 2000 tonnes of waste delivered daily to singapore’s four incineration plants, burning the waste to ashes may be the most cost-effective way as it reduces the volume of waste up to 90% and therefore, save space. Moreover, the heat generated from the incinerator can also be garnered to suffice 2-3% of Singapore energy needs. Yet, An incinerator is a major contributor to a whole range of major health problems. The burning produces some toxic chemicals which may speed up the rate of cancer growth in humans. Although incinerator incredibly saves space, which solves one of waste problems, the health risks posed are detrimental to the local population. Thus, it may not be the best answer to the problem of waste.

Waste minimisation is one of the long term strategies to solve the problems of waste. Over consumption of goods leads to excessive waste generated. Many people are unaware of the environmental effects of their action whether it is recycling or littering. Therefore, there is a need to educate the public so that they will reduce production of waste voluntarily through reduced consumption. For example, supermarkets in Singapore such as Fairprice and Giants ask shoppers to bring their own bags to reduce the likelihoods of the thousands of plastics bag handed out each day ending up in incinerators. Active promotion by the government such as the 3Rs campaign: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle may be able to change the mindsets of the people in the long run. This will consequently helps to solve the problems of excessive waste generated by consumers.

In conclusion, education through campaigns provides the basis for participation of people in ways to answer the problems of waste. Nevertheless, recycling is still the most practical way to tackle all the waste problems due to its minute harmful side effects compared to landfills and incinerators. Recycling also has many benefits such as economic feasibility and energy-efficient. Thus, i still believe that recycling is the answer to the problem of waste to a large extent.