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Hailey Elayer

Professor Harris

ENG 301: Rogerian Argument

20 October 2019

The Importance of Recycling

For several years, communities have been trying to show effort when it comes to saving

the environment. Studies have shown that certain steps need to be taken for mankind to keep

surviving on Earth. People should put more effort into recycling because there are positive long

term effects if people do recycle. When the general population does not recycle then there are

many negative long term effects. Several people believe that they do not need to recycle because

it will not make a difference. This might be because they do not realize how impactful recycling

can help the environment. Some facts show that there needs to be some changes to help the

environment. Also, some people are forgetful and it may seem like a task to recycle their items.

Throwing things in the trash is such a routine trait and it can be hard to start a new habit when it

comes to recycling. Although this can be a valid reason, people can still try and put some effort

into trying to help the environment.

In order for people to recycle, they need to have certain bins to recycle certain items.

Some counties will provide bins or cans, so residents can recycle their items. But, if these things

are not provided then people are less likely to go out of their way to purchase these items to

recycle. Plus, when these things are not on hand then people will not make it a point to recycle. It

is also important to know when the recycling trucks will pick up the recycled items. If a person

does not know, then they might find it easier to throw things in the trash no matter what. Also, in
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some areas, residents have to pay for recycling services which the cost can range from five

dollars a month to twenty-five dollars a month (“CostOwl.com.”). And other times civilians will

have to purchase different recycling bins for their items. Even though this is a small cost, people

still think it is easier not having to go out of their way and buy these items. Because of this,

people are less likely in trying to make an effort to recycle.

People also need to learn what they can and cannot recycle. Some people see recycling as

an inconvenience too because they have to be so careful about what they can and cannot recycle.

Sometimes people believe that they don’t have enough time to learn about recycling and will just

continue about their lives. If someone recycles a container with food, then it will do more harm

than good. For instance, “contaminants like grease and glue will disrupt the processes needed to

extract raw materials and ruin an entire batch” (“What Can and Cannot Be Recycled?”). All of

the products in the batch, even if it didn’t have glue or grease, would have to go in the trash

which means the landfills are getting more filled. When people understand this information, then

they might feel like they do not truly know how to recycle and will not want to take the time to

learn. Although learning how to recycle is simple, it can seem time-consuming with the hustling

lives of Americans.

Another reason why someone may not recycle is the fact they simply forget. Since it’s

not a habit and other things are going on in their lives people don’t make it a point to start. A

reason why people might not think about recycling is that the reward and the repercussions are

not immediate. The reward of recycling is saving the Earth and helping the environment. The

downfall of recycling infrequently is damaging the environment. This makes it hard because it

can be difficult for “people to make the association between their daily habits and those habits
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consequences” (Schumaker). Since people do not see these changes immediately, then it will be

harder to form that habit. Additionally, many Americans do not think about starting to recycle

since they are not in the habit of doing it. When someone is not actively thinking about doing

something, then the chances of them thinking about starting it are lower too.

Civilians need to try and make a point of learning about recycling and why people should

do it. This needs to be done because it will help the environment and help the Earth in the long

run. In some people’s minds, it might seem like a difficult process; however, it only takes a quick

google search to understand how to recycle and why someone should recycle. All the trash that

humans throw away goes directly to a landfill if people do not recycle whatsoever. A study

showed that “288 landfills in the USA, off-site migration of gases, including methane, have been

detected at 83 percent of these landfill sites” (Skinner). Methane is a worse greenhouse gas than

carbon dioxide because it is more potent (Skinner). This causes more global warming which will

lead to the destruction of the Earth. Everyone lives on the same planet, so everyone should all

make it a point to try and help it. This is everyone’s home, yet people do not treat it like it is their

home. Recycling may not seem convenient, but it is also not convenient that the Earth is dying.

Recycling “prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials” and “reduces

the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators” (“Recycling Basics”). If people realize

how helpful recycling is for the environment, then they might be more persuaded into recycling.

When people do not physically see the results or the negatives of landfills, then it’s hard for them

to understand the importance of recycling. Some people are aware of the problem, but still, do

not do anything about it. This can be caused because of laziness or thinking that it still will not
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affect them in any way. The environment affects everyone, so everyone should put in some effort

to try and save it.

Recycling also gives many other benefits such as helping the economy. For instance, “its

socioeconomic benefits include employment opportunities in the reverse logistics industry, from

collection to remanufacturing” (King et al. 2772). This offers a wide range of occupations and

will help the working class too. Not only does recycling help the environment, but it can help the

economy. In fact, a study showed “recycling and reuse activities in the United States accounted

for: 757,000 jobs, $36.6 billion in wages, and $6.7 billion in tax revenues” (“Recycling Basics”).

This shows that recycling gives many benefits and people can find something that they would

like to help out in. Since recycling has so many perks people should start feeling that they would

want to start recycling. If they are wanting to recycle, then they are more likely to start to make a

point to recycle.

A solution that should be presented is encouraging government involvement in recycling.

When people see that the government is involved then they might be more likely to put in some

effort, since they see an authoritarian figure encouraging it. However, this can also only work if

the majority of the country looks up to the government or the authoritarian figures who are

running it. This can still bring more awareness to civilians and might be an easier way for them

to learn about the importance of recycling. When the government is more involved with

recycling, then “Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects approved under this

methodology have the potential to synchronize climate change mitigation, solid waste

management, and socioeconomic development agendas” (King et al. 2772). There is a cause and

effect when the government shows involvement because more civilians will be able to get on
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board too. When more people are involved that means that there is more awareness on the

subject. Once people understand why they need to recycle hopefully they will start the habit

because everyone should try and make an effort to help the environment.
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Works Cited

“CostOwl.com.” ​2019 Average Recycling Pickup Service Prices: How Much Does a Recycling

Pickup Service Cost?​, Costowl.com,

https://www.costowl.com/home-improvement/home-services-recycling-pickup-cost.html.

Accessed 18 October 2019.

King, Megan F., and Jutta Gutberlet. "Contribution of Cooperative Sector Recycling to

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: A Case Study of Ribeirão Pires, Brazil."​ Waste

Management​, vol. 33, no. 12, 2013, pp. 2771-2780, http://tinyurl.com/y697fha5.

Accessed 18 October 2019.

“Recycling Basics.” ​EPA,​ Environmental Protection Agency, 1 Aug. 2018,

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics#Benefits. Accessed 16 October 2019.

Schumaker, Erin. “This Is Why You Have So Much Trouble Recycling.” ​HuffPost​, HuffPost, 3

Aug. 2016,

http://www.huffpost.com/entry/psychology-of-why-people-dont-recycle_n_57697a7be4b

087b70be605b3​. Accessed 15 October 2019.

Skinner, Crystal. "Why Recycling is so Important in Today's Day and Time."​ TCA Regional

News,​ ProQuest, 3 Sep. 2017​,

http://unr.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.unr.idm.oclc.org/docview/1

934987955?accountid=452​. Accessed 15 October 2019.

“What Can and Cannot Be Recycled?” ​Glad,​ The Glad Products Company., 19 Feb. 2019,

www.glad.com/teachable-trash/what-can-and-cannot-be-recycled/#gAmwbXtLlX7yDfQ
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L.99​. Accessed 15 October 2019.