The steps in creating a new product from virgin materials are greater than from recycled material. One must extract, refine, process, and transport virgin materials, whereas recycled material only needs to be collected, processed, and transported.
It is estimated that 75% of our waste is recyclable but only 30% is recycled. The less waste we throw into landfills, the less likely communities will suffer from pollution and groundwater contamination.
Chemicals used to extract virgin materials contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, when one reduces, reuses, and recycles, one does not contribute to the pollutants in the air.
The amount of resources on the earth’s surface are finite. Instead of cutting down more trees to produce paper, the trees can be saved by recycling old newspapers. Recycling helps to utilize usage of the limited natural resources we have.