How Does Recycling Help Climate Change? Find Out Here

Climate change depicts a major change. These changes occur in climate measures, including wind, rainfall, temperature, snow, precipitation, and global warming. You might think these changes last for a few days—or maybe even a few weeks. But that’s not the case here. Climate change lasts for decades.

Human activities, such as cutting down trees and fossil fuels, cause climate change. Humans never think of factors like how climate change affects the earth. How do the climate and ecosystem change? You won’t ignore them once the consequences become large, even if you want to. Recycling helps reduce the impacts and protect the climate.

1. What Is Climate Change

Earth has an average weather pattern. ‘However, climate change occurs in the long term due to drastic changes in Earth’s temperature. This means that glaciers and ice are rising, and the sea levels are rising. The frequency of severe climatic events increases. It is seen in the form of droughts and hurricanes. It also increases heat waves. The pattern of precipitation also increases. The balance of our ecosystem is disrupted.

Human activities drive these changes, and many activities result in greenhouse emissions. The atmosphere contains tonnes of greenhouse gases. The most common is carbon dioxide. Other greenhouse gases are methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. The earth’s atmosphere traps these gases, resulting in global warming.

It also results in the greenhouse effect. Addressing climate change is difficult, maybe because some people don’t listen or want to act, but it’s necessary! It requires unity and global cooperation. Nations are different; climate crises are one. Some points about climate change are as follows.

• Numerous causes of the climate crisis exist. The primary reason is burning fossil fuels, specifically oil and coal.
• Agricultural processes and deforestation are a few factors resulting in emissions.
• The industrial process is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect.

1.1.Global Warming

What is a major example of climatic change? Yes, you are right! It is global warming. Global warming is a serious issue. An increase in the earth’s average temperature is global warming, contributing to climate crises due to which upcoming generations face major threats. So, major statistics are developing steps to reduce global warming.

Many people are also spreading awareness about this issue. Climate change will not stop in one day. It will take a decade, if not many years. Recycling helps to reduce climatic change. One of the best solutions is recycling.

1.2. Adaptation Strategies

The earth already has a climate crisis at some level. Since we can’t undo past activities and emissions, it’s smart to have adaptation strategies. These involve human and natural adjustments. They should result in less vulnerability and build resistance against climate change.

• Follow the global policies for climate change that aim to use coping machines against climatic change, use recycling systems in manufacturing products, and pricing for carbon.
• Take initiatives for reforestation, planting trees nearby and within the organization to reduce air pollution and the greenhouse effect.
• Create awareness programs to spread information. Organizations and scientists play a role in raising public awareness. There are many public discussions. So, participate in these communities. Attend rallies and activities. It helps you gain insight into climate change. Also, you can inspire others.

The Icy Tales team talked to Robert Raffa, Solar Consultant at Sunergy Solutions LLC, about solutions to combat climate change. Here is what he said:

“In my role as President and Owner of Sunergy Solutions LLC, I’ve become familiar with the broad spectrum of renewable energy solutions, particularly solar power, and how economic incentives can significantly shift business behaviors and investments.

Carbon pricing mechanisms, like carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, are designed to internalize the external cost of carbon emissions. They make visible the hidden environmental costs of traditional energy sources, leveling the playing field for renewable energies.

From my experience, these systems can drive the adoption of solar energy technologies.

For instance, businesses are more inclined to invest in solar installations when they realize the potential savings on operational costs compared to the fluctuating prices of fossil fuel-based power, which could be further taxed under carbon pricing.

Furthermore, the installation of such systems leads to decreased dependency on grid electricity, enhancing resilience against power outages and energy price volatilities, a significant bonus for commercial entities.

However, I do recognize the concerns regarding the economic impact on certain industries and communities. These policies must be implemented with a well-structured support system to mitigate adverse effects on vulnerable groups.

Graduated tax implementations or exemptions for certain sectors and communities could be effective in this transition.

Additionally, reinvesting the revenue from carbon taxes into renewable energy projects and subsidies for affected workers can facilitate smoother transitions and foster public acceptance.

While carbon pricing is not a silver bullet, it represents a critical tool in the arsenal against climate change. Implemented correctly, it can encourage the shift towards a more sustainable energy landscape, much like we promote solar solutions at Sunergy Solutions LLC.

This approach not only helps reduce carbon emissions but also stabilizes and potentially lowers energy costs in the long run, building economic resilience.”

We interviewed Paw Vej, Chief Operating Officer at Financer.com, on problems and challenges with carbon pricing in climate change combat. Here is what he had to say:

“There are many problems and challenges with this approach, but overall, I don’t think it’ll work. In the context of climate change, our goal is to reduce greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, which means we should focus on removing fossil carbon from the energy supply chain.

Focusing mainly on emissions through carbon pricing, as most policies and corporate goals do, isn’t effective because it’s like trying to treat a symptom without addressing the underlying cause.

First, when it comes to the practical phase, there’s been a lot of debate about the right way to price carbon. The theory behind it is simple and seems workable, but putting it into practice has proven to be much harder and less successful than expected.

Honestly, there’s no guarantee that it would be effective since nobody has done that. This is a major reason why the system is unfeasible.

On paper, this idea looks good, but in reality, it would allow the rich to continue living emission-heavy lifestyles just because they can afford to buy more carbon units.

The system doesn’t promote fairness or equality. Already, people with higher incomes have more emissions than those with lower incomes.

My second point is about the individualization of environmental policy. Individual emissions don’t make a significant difference in pollution levels. About two-thirds of global carbon emissions come from the transportation and energy sectors, which still rely heavily on fossil fuels. Individual choices impact far less than the emissions from corporations and large businesses. 

Making individuals overly responsible, as Mann points out, is politically risky because it shifts focus away from the bigger issue: the lack of effective measures to force companies and large industries to cut their carbon emissions. 

While optimization is still important, it does little to combat “carbon lock-in,” encourage radical innovation, or avoid dead-end paths; we need systemic change, not just more allowances for carbon emissions.

Citizens need to understand the urgency of the problem and not be limited by a measure larger than themselves that they don’t fully comprehend.”

2. But How Can Recycling Help With Climate Change?

Climate change is not a new problem—it is an old one. Waste products are also an old problem. These two problems can’t be fully solved, yet they are interrelated. They form some major issues and affect each other. However, recycling benefits climate change. There are two major benefits.

• The first benefit limits the amount of raw materials used. That’s because today, we use raw materials extensively. They’re finding the resources. Some rescues take time to reference, while others don’t need time. Once they finish, they are done. So, it’s necessary to limit their uses.
• The second benefit is limiting waste amounts. Waste production has increased over the years, and landfills have a lot of waste. There are many projects to limit landfills. They state that recycling will reduce landfill waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. So, it requires measures to stop. Landfills produce carbon dioxide.

Recycling helps to reduce waste. You might know the 3 R rule: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Here, we discuss the 3 R rule thoroughly, but we will get deeper below.

• Reduce using products that harm the climate. Don’t throw the products. Avoid wastage.
• Reuse the product that you can.
• Also, don’t throw waste products away. Recycle them! Making minor changes to current habits helps. And how do they help? They help bring about change. Recycling items take less time.

2.1. Landfills

Landfills store a huge amount of waste. The waste doesn’t undergo aerobic decomposition; it undergoes anaerobic decomposition, which has drastic effects. They emit greenhouse gases. One of the major greenhouse gases is methane. It is 34 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. That’s why it is necessary to reduce waste. Additionally, waste should be recycled into composting as much as possible.

2.2. Oil Consumption And Raw Materials

Resources are very important. But they are finished daily, and people use raw materials for various purposes. But so do the industries. Creating things from raw materials requires consumption. So, it’s not only raw materials getting wasted. Also, the consumption of oils is getting into waste. Major consumption of oil emits greenhouse gases.

And we all know how plastic harms the environment. So, major oil consumption contributes to plastic manufacturing. Extracting raw materials also requires GHG emissions. They need it for physical extraction. Also, virgin materials require fossil fuels for transportation, which emits more carbon emissions. Therefore, the use of methane gas should be reduced.

3. Recycling

Recycling ensures that resources are not wasted. You might be wondering how recycling helps with climate change. It reduces major contributions to the climate crisis. As a result, climate change is reduced. But recycling creates new possibilities!

Recycling turns a product into something better and new. It reduces the use of raw materials, which are different from landfill waste, and energy efficiency. Reducing raw materials results in fewer greenhouse gases, which form the main climate damage factor. There are many recycling activities, such as digging recycled materials.

Try to get major products made from recycling. It impacts the house. Getting recycling produced also helps industries and markets. It encourages them to recycle more. Purchase items with a better decision-making process. Ensure the product is decomposable. Use reusable items. These minor changes can make a major difference in climatic change.

3.1.Benefits Of Recycling

• Saves Energy And Resources

This does not mean that you should only use one type of recycling. Every kind of recycling helps with climate change overall. It saves a lot of materials. It also helps to reuse materials. This ensures that Earth’s future resources are safe. It also provides manufacturing that requires fewer raw materials.

As we know, raw materials require fossil fuels. And they emit greenhouse gasses. One of the best ways of recycling is recycling paper. Every newspaper, magazine, book, and letter requires papers. You also know other requirements of paper manufacturing, such as the large-scale cutting of trees. Recycling a tonne of paper saves around 17 trees. So, how great is it? Trees help balance carbon dioxide in nature.

Producing paper from recycled goods uses 65 percent less energy than raw materials. So, you indirectly reduce climate change. How amazing is that? Recycling means fewer tree cuttings. It saves resources and less energy.

• Saves Water

Paper production requires water. And this is not a small quantity of water. It requires a large water quantity. So, how about recycling wastewater? This wastewater can help to manufacture papers. Recycling wastewater helps to reduce greenhouse gasses.

It helps to save water. You can use recycled water to plant trees. Growing trees is another contribution to climate change reduction. It is a great way to reduce greenhouse gases. Less energy consumption results in fewer greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere result in more heat, which is the greenhouse effect. In other words, recycling helps lower carbon dioxide production and reduces other harmful gases.

• Reduces Landfill Waste And Burning

A major contributor to carbon dioxide is landfills, which produce a large quantity of waste. There are many types of waste in the landfill. Every product produces different kinds of gasses. Some of these gases are harmful to the climate.

Everything harmful to the environment is detrimental to the climate. One of the major gases produced is carbon dioxide. Waste releases much carbon dioxide, so less landfill waste results in fewer emissions. Therefore, your goal is to keep waste out of landfills. You have to reduce waste production, which is only possible through recycling.

Less waste production results in less incineration, which reduces the amount of waste burned. Incineration is also a source of greenhouse gases.

4. Getting Ready For Recyclation

Even small steps for recycling are a great jumpstart. Recycling cans and paper is a great way to start, and it helps you play a part in reducing climate change. Yet, the climate will not change in a day. But it gives hope for a better climatic future. Many recycled items are customizable and less expensive. That’s because they require fewer raw materials. Also, you will feel better while using recycled items. It slows down global warming.

Paper and pulp are among the largest industrial consumers, ranking fifth. Producing them requires a huge deal of energy. However, recycling paper requires fewer resources. Recycling helps to save trees from cutting. Wastewater treatment also results in emissions. But what gases emit these emissions? They include nitrous oxide and methane.

So, recycling paper also results in less water consumption. It also reduces raw material usage. Try to get recyclable packaging. You mainly use laminates, which aren’t recyclable. This ensures recycling rather than waste production. Spread awareness about recycling. It’s better if kids know a valuable lesson at their age. Every recycling method has more than one benefit. So, you must begin recycling today before it’s too late.

4.1. 3 R Rules: Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle

There are three fundamental rules of recycling: reduce, reuse, and recycle. These are the key principles of climate change. They help to reduce waste production and promote sustainability. Following these fundamental principles helps reduce climate change and save natural resources. Let’s study the basic principles in detail.

• Reduce

The first effective step is reduction. It helps to manage waste. So, you should be mindful about making choices. Choose your products and resources wisely. So, they contribute to material and resource reduction. Ensure having minimum packaging while getting products. Get durable, long-lasting items. Also, avoid purchasing items that you use one time.

Try to save resources at home, such as energy and water. It expands the product’s lifespan. Don’t dispose of items after using them. Reuse them for other purposes, such as shopping bags and water bottles.

• Reuse

Again, don’t throw resources into the waste, especially by using them once. This helps reduce new resource demand and increases product lifespan. Don’t replace items if they are damaged.

Try to fix and reuse them. Don’t throw items away if you don’t need them. Give them to needy people, but only if they are in good condition. You can use one item in different ways.

So, increase your creativity. For example, bottles can be used to grow plants, old clothes can be converted into rugs, and old jars can be used as storage containers. There are many other ways, like using aluminum scraps!

• Recycle

Finally, recycle! It is a process of turning old products into new ones. It is an effective strategy that helps minimize waste production and raw materials. You can divide recyclable items into categories like paper, glass, and metals.

You can also sort cardboard and plastics into different waste bins. Check the community recycling guidelines. Other communities have different recycling rules. Don’t contribute items for recycling as waste. Ensure that they are in better condition. Wash the interior of a container. It removes municipal solid waste, reducing carbon emissions. It can increase recycling and climate.

5. In The End

Recycling helps climate change both directly and indirectly. It reduces emissions, improves waste management practices, and creates a circular economy. Every person must start recycling or using reusable products to reduce energy consumption and waste. Organizations must create awareness and apply recycling policies to protect the environment from harmful products and emissions.

Renewable energy improves energy efficiency, implements recycling and sustainability, and uses new materials. A strong transition to renewable energy resources like hydro, wind, and solar can help lower emissions. By contributing small amounts, everyone can take part in protecting the environment.

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on May 15, 2024 by Saket Kumar