How to Recycle Paper, Plastic and Glass

For millions of years, man has thrived on planet Earth. As far and as long as humans have existed, the Earth has taken cared of our specie, giving man and beast alike all we have needed to survive. However, over the centuries, man has neglected the Earth's role in the specie's existence and has overlooked the importance of the Earth to his own survival.

In the recent years, there has been growing concern on saving Mother Earth as issues like global warming increased. Groups of naturalists and environmentalists have emerged increasingly in the hope of championing Mother Earth's causes to another practical and proactive level.

How important is recycling for Mother Earth? It was in 1999 when people started to recycle a lot. In 1999, there have been approximately 64 million tons of waste materials that have been prevented from ending up in landfills and incinerators just through recycling and composting. At present, the United States recycles at least thirty-two percent of its waste. That's twice the rate as it was fifteen years ago. In addition, for all paper, 50 percent of it are now being recycles, for all plastic soft drink bottles - 34 percent, for all aluminum beer and soft drink cans - 45 percent, for all steel packaging - 63 percent and for all major appliances - 67 percent are now being recycled.

So, how is recycling being defined? Recycling is a cycle of activities which starts from the collection of waste materials, then sorting and processing recyclables into raw materials, sort of like fibers and then later on manufacturing these raw materials into new and usable products.

Those are only some of the few materials that we sometimes consider a waste when we no longer use them. But, take note: these materials that we call useless and waste may still be used.

The following are examples of materials, otherwise considered as waste, which may be recycled:

1. Paper. Many types of paper can be recycled like the newspapers. People have been recycling newspapers for as long as one can remember. As a result, other types of papers are now being recycled too. Why recycle paper? In the recent years, virgin paper pulp (primary ingredient of manufacturing paper) has decreased as there are now lesser trees due to industrialization. It should be noted that the key to recycling paper is to collect them in large and clean quantities, to sort them properly, and to make sure that they remain uncontaminated and dry.

2. Plastics. Plastics are non-biodegradable. It takes hundreds and hundreds of years for plastic to decompose. That is why, a more practical and environment friendly thing to do would be to reuse plastics or to use paper bags instead.

3. Glass, Steel Aluminum Foils and Cans. Many environmental groups and eco-friendly companies are taking the initiative to collect and recycle glasses, steels aluminum foils and cans into other usable materials.

There is only one planet Earth that is why we have to take care of her. One way of saving Mother Earth would be through reusing and recycling.

So, reuse, recycle and save the Earth now.