Why Recycle?

Arguments for the importance of waste reduction fall into three categories, known as the three “E’s” of sustainability: economy, environment, and equity.*

Economic

• Prevents valuable commodities from being lost forever to landfilling or incineration
• Using recycled feedstock in manufacturing offers significant energy and cost savings over virgin materials
• Strengthens domestic resource recovery infrastructure which creates green jobs

Environmental

• Minimizes water, land, and air pollution related to the harvest, extraction, and or processing of raw materials
• Cuts greenhouse gas emissions like carbon and methane contributing to climate change
• Conserves natural resources like freshwater, trees, minerals, precious metals, land, oil & natural gas

Equity

• As we address waste reduction in a more holistic way and move towards a circular economy – the result will be healthier people living in healthier communities. Less waste will produce less litter, less exposure to unhealthy packaging, and more thoughtful design – all of which will have positive effects on mental health and physical well-being.
• Waste reduction & recycling cuts greenhouse gas emissions like carbon and methane that contribute to climate change - the effects of which are felt more pointedly by certain communities.
• The waste reduction & recycling industry offers stable, entry-level employment to many individuals who might encounter barriers when applying for service-sector jobs (i.e. many recyclers actively employ formerly incarcerated individuals and others).

*This is not an exhaustive list.