Recycling What is recycling? Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Why is recycling important to schools? Many schools recycle because it is often cost-effective — less trash to pay to remove, and some recycling can produce cash back for the school. Also, the effort can be used to teach children early on how to be good stewards. Steps to Recycling: S Collection and Processing J Manufacturing Recycled Products S Purchasing New Products from Recycled Materials Benefits of Recycling Common Recycled Products o Saves energy ~ Aluminum cans o Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that ~ Car bumpers contribute to global climate change ~ Carpeting o Helps sustain the environment for future ~ Cereal boxes generations ~ Comic books o Helps create new well-paying jobs in the ~ Egg cartons recycling and manufacturing industries ~ Glass containers in the United States ~ Laundry detergent bottles o Reduces the amount of waste sent to ~ Motor oil landfills and incinerators ~ Construction nails G Conserves natural resources such as ~ Newspapers timber, water and minerals ~ Paper towels O Prevents pollution caused by reducing ~ Steel products the need to collect new raw materials ~ Trash bags For more information about recycling: http://www.epa.gov/recvcle/recvcle.html € ~v *4 ------- |