The world does not contain endless resources. Left to our own devices, we have been destroying our habitat. Forests are disappearing with increasing speed; rivers and lakes are becoming more and more polluted. Landfills are encroaching upon our neighborhoods. Recycling is a simple, easy way to help us use less of these resources.

By reusing old materials, we reduce the amount of new materials we need. Old paper and cardboard, for example, can be turned into new products, saving oxygen-producing trees in the process. Aluminum and other metals can be recycled, lowering the amount of natural resources used to produce new metals.

Recycling has become a major part of U.S. society. Have you started recycling yet?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “50 percent of all paper, 34 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles, 45 percent of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans, 63 percent of all steel packaging, and 67 percent of all major appliances are now recycled.”

Although individual efforts help, communities must work together to reap the full benefits of recycling. From corporations, to small businesses, to schools and homes, everyone can do his or her part to recycle.

The possibilities are endless: recycling brings benefits both regionally and nationally. The more we recycle, the less waste we generate, which means the less dependent we become on making new landfills in our communities.

In addition to waste, we also have to purchase raw materials needed to make plastics, metals, and other products. By reusing these materials, we save money as a country, because we do not need to purchase new raw materials.

Recycling also helps use less energy, because turning recycled material into new material takes less energy than turning raw material into new material.

Additionally, forming new material from recycled material does not cause as much pollution.

With so many benefits to recycling, it should be an every day activity in everyone’s household. How difficult is it to throw your recyclables in a separate container from your trash and take it to the curb or a recycling center on your way to work?