By KENNITH MOUNT

Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products.

Recycling can benefit your community and the environment.

Recycling:

• Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills.

• Conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals.

• Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials.

• Saves energy

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.

• Helps sustain the environment for future generations.

• Helps create new well-paying jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States.

Yet, not everyone feels motivated to recycle and indeed, it can sometimes seem like a complex undertaking. Yet, coupled with understanding the benefits, once you know how to recycle, you’ll realize it’s not that hard and it soon becomes second habit. Start by making the commitment to recycling in your household and work your way right through to persuading others of its benefits, too.

If you have children, talk to them about the benefits of recycling. There are excellent books for children on the benefits of recycling, many in the children’s environmental section of the library or bookstore.

Children and young adults, in my opinion, are the keys to getting recycling going. They are the future.

Know what can be recycled. In Andalusia, we recycle the following:

• Milk cartons and other cartons

• Paper, including magazines, newspapers, waste office paper, cereal boxes and other cardboard

• Aluminum cans

• Steel food cans

• Plastic containers including water bottles, drink bottles and other bottles

• Plastic bags

• Cooking oil placed in special containers

I have a garbage can outside of my house, and I place a recycling bag inside that can. Everyday, I place recycle materials inside of the bag. On the day my garbage is picked up, I place my bag of recycle materials beside the hobo and it is picked up by the city.

Only about 30 percent of the residents of Andalusia recycle. Are you one of the 30 percent?

If not, why not consider it?

 

Editor’s note: Curbside recycling is available in Andalusia. You can request free recycling bags by calling: 222-0862.