| Green living involves conserving resources and | | | | manufacturing with virgin materials. The act of |
| reducing one's carbon footprint on the environment. | | | | recycling and buying products that are recycled |
| An easy way to incorporate green practices into a | | | | creates more demand for these products, which |
| lifestyle is to recycle. There are quite a few reasons | | | | serves to decrease waste and help the economy. |
| why you should recycle and here are those that rise | | | | The most direct beneficial effects, and those which |
| to the top of the list. | | | | recycling was intended to create, pertain to the |
| Recycling provides manufacturers with the raw | | | | environment. Recycling solid waste during the year |
| materials that they require in order to make new | | | | 2000 prevented 32.9 million metric tons of carbon |
| products. Rather than being taken to landfills, where | | | | equivalent from being released into the air. Using |
| they must be compacted and buried, these items are | | | | recycled materials during the manufacturing process |
| repurposed. The act of recycling keeps waste from | | | | generates less water pollution. It also reduces the |
| piling up in these landfills, lowering the need to expand | | | | need to take materials from nature, cutting down on |
| landfill space. The process also creates jobs and | | | | the damage and destruction of rivers, forests, |
| represents a lucrative industry within our country. | | | | wetlands, and other wildlife habitats. |
| This sector represents $236 billion and over 1.1 million | | | | The effects on the economy, land, and the |
| people are employed at the more than 56,000 | | | | environment are just a few reasons why you should |
| recycling and reuse facilities in the United States. | | | | recycle. The process is very easy to set up within |
| It requires fewer natural resources and energy to | | | | the home and putting things into recycling bins will |
| recycle and manufacture items from these materials | | | | soon become habit. Engaging in recycling habits within |
| than to use new materials. For example, using | | | | the home and office are small things that can be |
| recycled aluminum cans during manufacturing cuts | | | | done to make a positive impact on the world. |
| energy consumption by 95 percent from | | | | |