Reading Time: 2 minutes
Recycling is the biggest R in the waste management industry. Currently, only one third of the waste is being recycled every year in Malaysia. Many scientists and environmental activists believe that there should be more recycling programs initiative and should be expanded vigorously. There are several effects that [people are not aware of when they do not recycle.
Here is a brief insight of the repercussions that humanity will face for not recycling.
Trash in today’s world
Nearly 347 million tons of solid waste is collected in various countries every year. Out of this only 85 million tons reach the recycling industry. Have you ever wondered where the rest is going? The waste is going into oceans, rivers, seas, and landfills. In an age where we cannot afford to waste natural resources and where land is a scarcity, we are contributing towards our own destruction.
Trash in the future
The amount of trash that will be disposed in the coming years will only be tripled. Imagine where that will lead us if we do not make a conscious effort in recycling. The worst is yet to come because there will be no land to create landfills, and further farm land and deforestation will be used to create landfills. It will further lead to poor sanitation and environment pollution very soon.
Shortage of land
There is no more land available to create landfills. Many countries, including Malaysia are facing a severe shortage in terms of land to provide housing. By not recycling, we will surround ourselves with landfills and garbage
Recognize recyclable materials
Materials like glass and aluminum are 100% recyclable. Malaysia retrieves more than 13 million pounds of glass every year out of which only 25% is recycled. When these materials can be recycled, there is no need for fresh materials. A material, like glass, takes thousands of years to disintegrate and degrade.
What about metals?
Metals that amount to 40% of landfill take hundreds of years to disintegrate. Instead, when they are recycled, they can be remade into 60% products required for market consumption. In fact, there is no need for fresh metal mining if the scrap metal is being recycled to 100%.
Deforestation
Very soon we will be living in a concrete jungle without any greenery around us. Thousands of trees are cut down to make paper and related products each year. However, there are some miniscule efforts to re-forest; we should understand that one forest does not replace another.
No more oceans
The trash that we dispose on a daily basis is forming islands in the oceans. The coral reeves that we see today will soon be extinct and will only live in our imagination. Very soon oceans will start receding with mounds of trash that is being disposed by us.
Conclusion
There is an urgent need to reduce our consumption and recycle waste at the same time. Every single household product is recyclable in some way or the other. We need not keep investing in fresh products each time we go shopping. Active consumerism is the biggest enemy of the modern day world. However, recycling can help save the planet.
Last Updated on 7 months by Thanam Industry
