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Resource Recovery

Resource recovery refers to salvaging usable materials from solid waste, with recycling rates in the US increasing from 10% in 1980 to 28% in 1997. Recycling saves resources and energy while reducing pollution, and recycling aluminum employs more people than aluminum manufacturing. Several states have passed mandatory recycling laws requiring collection of recyclables and limiting waste disposal.

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Maryjoy Paladan
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8 views

Resource Recovery

Resource recovery refers to salvaging usable materials from solid waste, with recycling rates in the US increasing from 10% in 1980 to 28% in 1997. Recycling saves resources and energy while reducing pollution, and recycling aluminum employs more people than aluminum manufacturing. Several states have passed mandatory recycling laws requiring collection of recyclables and limiting waste disposal.

Uploaded by

Maryjoy Paladan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Resource Recovery

Resource recovery refers to the salvaging of usable materials from solid waste. Resource recovery and
recycling-the use of these “waste” materials in the manufacturing process-are increasing. In 1980, only
10% of the solid waste produced in the United States was recycled. By 1997, the recycling rate had
increased to 28%.
Until 1975 most soft drinks were sold in glass bottles that were returned to the bottling company
and reused. Today, most soft drinks are sold in “recyclable” plastic bottles or in aluminum cans.
Recycling of containers saves raw materials and energy, and it reduces air and water pollution. Producing
aluminum can from aluminum can uses only 5% of the energy that is needed to produce aluminum from
bauxite and it also reduces the emissions of aluminum fluoride.
According to ALCOA (Aluminum Company of America), recycling aluminum also creates jobs.
In 1991, aluminum recycling employed twice the number of people (30,000) than those working in
aluminum manufacturing. Since 1983, the state of New York has required a deposit on beverage
containers. A study of the effects showed that the law has saved millions of dollars spent for cleanup and
disposal. It has also provided nearly 4,000 jobs. Ten states have passed “bottle bills.”
Not all materials are suitable for recycling. Materials composed of several different substances
may not be easily separated. Some paper products are covered with plastic or foil that cannot be easily
separated. Some states have passed laws that ban the sale of certain forms of packaging such as juice
boxes. Denmark banned the sale of almost all one-way soft drink containers-including aluminum cans.
Several states have passed mandatory recycling laws. Large communities must collect materials
for recycling, and smaller communities must provide drop-off sites for materials to be recycled. Residents
are required to recycle certain materials including paper, glass, aluminum or plastic. In some states, leaves
and grass clippings are no longer permitted in landfills; instead they are turned into compost. Some
communities now have a “pay-as-you-throw” policy to encourage recycling and reduce solid waste
going to landfills. Residents are charged by the bag or by the pound to dispose of trash.
With decreasing supplies of natural resources, limited space and concerns about the
environmental effects of landfills and waste-to-energy plants, recycling is no longer merely a way for boy
scouts and other organization to make money. “Reduce, reuse, and recycle” must be more than a slogan,
if we are t provide for our growing population and have a healthy environment. This action must become
an important part of our lifestyle.

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