Recycling means reusing waste or old products or turning them into something completely new. It is a solution to reduce the wasteful outputs, But like any other technique or technology, reprocessing also has its advantages and disadvantages.
Before making an opinion about anything, you must know all its benefits and drawbacks. So, this article is to help you learn about the advantages and disadvantages of Recycling.
Advantages of Recycling:
1. Creates job opportunities
Reusing can also create jobs for people. However, Setting-up a reprocessing plant requires people to work on the machines. More plants means more opportunities for job seekers.
2. Environmental benefit
Reusing waste can be very useful for the environment. Our trash goes to the landfills to rot. However, this could lead to spreading chemicals in the air and polluting it. Therefore, Reprocessing eliminates landfill dumping and makes the waste consumable again for its users.
3. Reduces energy consumption
Processing and producing raw materials take up a lot of energy. While reusing does not take or consume as much energy as raw materials. For example, reprocessing paper consumes far less energy than producing or growing a tree.
4. Raises awareness
Many recycling companies indulge in awareness programs for people. Also, the awareness programs help in making people aware of the benefits and need to reuse your products. Companies even show the whole process and showcase its benefits to the environment to make people aware.
5. Conserves natural resources
Usually, new products are made with fresh raw materials extracted from underneath the earth. Using fresh raw materials leads to unnecessary exploitation of natural resources. However, raw material are not extracted in the reprocessing process. Therefore, leading to conservation of natural resources.
6. Reduce air and water pollution
Factories produce industrial waste that acts as a source of air and water pollution. For example, wastes like plastic and can tend to pollute the water bodies. If appropriately recycled or reused they potential water and air pollution can be controlled. Therefore, reprocessing reduces pollution.
Disadvantages of Recycling:
1. Costly process
The whole process of reprocessing waste and used products is costly. Setting up a new recycling plant requires a lot of capital input. Moreover, other expenses like buying utility vehicles, upgrading the plants, etc. add up to the overall costs.
Also, companies and firms organize seminars and programs for people to educate them about the benefits and needs of reprocessing waste and used products.
2. Workers face toxic exposure
Workers are assigned to sort garbage and remove toxins, which exposes them to harmful and toxic products every day. Thus, they are open to many airborne microbial bacteria that lead to diseases and health issues.
3. Needs improvement
The demand for reprocessing products is inversely proportional to the cost of raw materials. In short, if the cost of raw material falls, the demand for recycling decreases, and vice versa.
In the market, reprocessing is only emphasized when it tends to be the most cost-effective solution for waste management. Today’s reprocessing process involves a lot of capital investment. Therefore, it needs improvement to become more efficient and effective.
4. The end product is may not be durable
The end product is not always par regarding quality. However, These products are produced with used and wasteful products and are often not very durable. They are very low priced and low in quality.
Moreover, reprocessing paper uses a harsh chemical that is harmful to people as well as the environment. But there is no guarantee that the product will be of good quality.
5. Low-quality jobs
Generally, the jobs generated in the reprocessing business is at the labor level. The whole process of reprocessing is labor intensive and requires a lot of people working in this business.
6. Results in pollutants
Breaking down waste materials produces many toxic pollutants that can potentially harm the environment. The toxic substance, for example, lead, spray cans, etc. could harm the planet and its creatures.
To read furthermore about the advantages and disadvantages of Recycling, check out the following:
1. https://smartasset.com/insights/the-pros-and-cons-of-recycling
2. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-recycling.php
3. https://vittana.org/21-recycling-pros-and-cons
4. https://futureofworking.com/13-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-recycling/