All processes depend on the use of natural resources while at the same time produce wastes that are profoundly harmful to the environment. Wastes produced from the manufacturing of products come in the form of the liquid, solid and gaseous forms which are emitted to the environment and can cause harm to humankind as well as lead to detrimental effects. Recycling involves the process of developing new products from waste materials for new applications (Ackerman 25). The process of recycling ensures wastes which could have been thrown away are put into new applications and use, thereby leading to a safe and environmentally friendly means of waste disposal. Therefore, in the event accumulation of waste from manufacturing and use of products, recycling becomes the most appropriate solution to help save natural resources, prevent environmental pollution, save energy and help in the mitigation of climate change. But recycling also has consequences based on cost, time and quality.
The process of recycling is highly significant in the achievement of sustainable development based on the focus to save natural resources for use by the future generations. Continued recycling of wastes ensures that the raw materials that could otherwise have been used to manufacture more products are saved for future use (Kunz 251). The process provides a significant means of sustaining the environment through allowing the regeneration of natural resources and ensure their preservation for the future generations. In this essence, recycling leads to the responsible use of raw materials by companies and helps in avoiding depletion of non-renewable resources.
Secondly, the process of recycling helps in the prevention of environmental pollution through the reduction in the release of toxic waste substances to the environment. Based on the reduced capacity of landfills to hold the increased waste released into the environment, recycling has become an essential process of preventing waste transportation to landfills and incinerators (Kunz 254). Recycling helps in the prevention of water, soil and air pollution, hence resulting in a healthy and safe environment for all living things. Clean air and water are essential for life in the world, hence promoting health makes recycling a vital aspect of everyday life.
Additionally, recycling plays a significant role towards the reduction in energy consumption, which in turn contributes to the mitigation of global warming. The continued focus on recycling of products leads to the reduction of energy required to produce new products. At the same time, the energy required by manufacturers to acquire the raw materials is eliminated since they have the materials to repurpose and make the final products (Ackerman 43). Through the reduction in energy consumption, recycling helps in the reduced greenhouse gas emissions, thereby mitigating the global warming effects of toxic gases. Taking into consideration the associated advantages, the process of recycling provides an environmentally friendly mechanism that is significant towards the global focus on sustainable development.
However, the process of recycling also faces various challenges which lead to a questioning of the cost-effectiveness of the process. For instance, during recycling, additional loops and process are required to ensure the development of the end product which might lead to extra cost based on transportation to other facilities. Repurposing recycled products confer manufacturers with additional cost based on the requirement of installation of new processes or the development of new factories (Oke 275). Moreover, the addition of processes into the loop and new factories can lead to more pollution through the release of more wastes thereby counteracting the importance of recycling to reduce pollution.
The recycled products often provide less quality as opposed to newly manufactured products. Therefore, companies can lose customers based on the provision of fewer quality products. Customers focus on quality and durability. Therefore, recycled products do not offer value for customers’ money, which can lead to avoidance of recycled products (Oke 280). The more the times a product gets recycled, the more it loses its value. Lastly, the process of recycling requires additional time and extra effort which can be inconvenient for most people or companies. The lack of workforce and time to invest in recycling prevents its proper application.
In conclusion, the process of recycling is an essential aspect of achieving environmental sustainability and healthy world. However, specific challenges based on the question of cost-effectiveness, availability of time and the quality of the recycled products have prevented the focus on achieving effective recycling. Despite the challenges, the beneficial ability to engage in the process of recycling outweigh the drawbacks. Through recycling, manufacturers maintain a focus on reducing energy use, improved health, less use of natural resources and elimination of environmental pollution to achieve environmental conservation and protection. Furthermore, recycling provides one of the significant steps towards mitigating the effects of global warming and achieving sustainable development goals. Therefore, from an individual’s perspective to the manufacturers and the global levels, recycling should be applied to gain these benefits. We should engage in recycling to ensure environmental sustainability and protect the needs of the future generations.
Works cited
Ackerman, Frank. Why do We Recycle?: markets, values, and public policy. Island Press, 1997.
Kunz, Nadja C., et al. "Drivers for and against municipal wastewater recycling: a review." Water science and technology 73.2 (2016): 251-254).
Oke, Adekunle, and Joanneke Kruijsen. "The Importance of Specific Recycling Information in Designing a Waste Management Scheme." Recycling 1.2 (2016): 271-285.
