Recycling, as most Americans know it, means saving paper, aluminum cans and plastics to be placed at the curb-side trash for pick-up. Recycling goes much farther than this. In my area, we have a waste disposal site that accepts everything other than garbage and hazardous materials. I'm sure they also exist everywhere. These waste disposal sites are now know also as recycling centers. Automobile junk yards are now known as "auto dismantlers" and recyclers.
Recycling has become a big business. The advent of our "throw-a-way" society has created the recycling boom. Don't think for a minute it's to benefit the environment. It does, but more importantly, it is a big source of money. Almost everything made today was designed to be thrown away rather than fixed. Even a $200 TV set, once out of warranty, is no longer cost effective to repair. In fact, I would doubt there are people who could fix it. Manufactured goods like refrigerators, washing machines, etc are called "durable" goods. That means they are designed to last (I believe) 7 years. Their durability has kept steady. That I contribute to rising major appliance costs.
Just about everything you can think of is recyclable. That old computer and other electronics devices are broken down and materials are salvaged. Silver, gold, copper and even the plastics are separated and sold for future new products. Recycling is nothing new. That Japanese toy that appeared after the war could have been made from recycled tin cans from the U.S. The Chinese used to recycle bandages (I don't know if they still do). Even those notorious IEDs' use recycled explosives.
We will see much more recycling in the future. Automobiles have been recycled for a long time. A car goes to the crusher and eventually ends up back on the auto assemble line. Of course it could end up anywhere. A tree is a fine example of 100% recyclable.The bark is used for mulch, the wood for lumber, paper and even the sawdust is recycled for plywood products (MDF and particle board). Whatever is left, goes into generating power. Even plain old garbage can be considered recyclable. It goes into a land fill where it breaks down to produce new soil and further fertilizing it. Recycling is an integral part of life on this planet. Recycling goes on whether we realize it or not. Through recycling, our planet is self-sustaining, a very important point.
Life goes on despite our efforts to destroy it. All we accomplish is to slow down the natural recycling cycle, but through our recycling efforts, we may be able to help reverse the downward trend.
This probably should have been presented as a blog, but I am far from being an expert on such matters and it would be nice to hear what others have to say.
Recycling, a Way of Life
Re: Recycling, a Way of Life
