Recycling is an important ecological activity because it reduces the amount of material entering the waste stream, reduces carbon emissions, and helps conserve precious raw materials for future generations.

Less Garbage is a Good Thing
Producing a lot of garbage creates problems. Our land fills fill up and not all of the garbage makes it to where it belongs – some of it ends up in our rivers, oceans, roads, and communities where it causes real problems for fish, wildlife, and people.

paper bag from Chipotle

Reducing our Carbon Footprint
Recycling also helps reduce the energy required to produce, package, transport, and dispose of consumer and industrial goods. By reducing raw material extraction we reduce our carbon footprint  and conserve resources that will be needed by future generations.

Conservation of Limited Resources
Some natural resources are renewable, but many are not. When we recycle, we reduce the need for virgin raw materials and conserve limited resources.