Recycling can conserve natural resources; 3 things students can do

We have all heard of the 3 ‘R’s – Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse. We have also heard how sustainability is the future and that we need to act now to ensure a sustainable future for our planet. Recycling is one such process that adopts and ensures a better future for the next generation.

What is recycling? It is a process that involves converting waste materials into new materials and products, rather than throwing them away in landfills or incinerators. According to Shweta Oberoi, primary in-charge at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, it is very important to reduce the need for refining and processing raw materials to achieve sustainable development goals.

“This is also mentioned in the sustainable development goals, where we have to hold the cities or communities accountable so that sustainable practices are followed. It reduces the need for extracting, refining and processing raw materials repeatedly. In commerce, we talk about primary industries that extract raw materials, followed by secondary industries that process them. If we can use already processed or recycled materials, we will be fulfilling sustainable development goals and ensuring that the natural resources are there for generations to come,” Oberoi said.

The benefits of recycling are numerous, including the conservation of natural resources, energy savings, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and reduction in landfill space. However, despite the known benefits of recycling, not everyone practices it. As such, it is essential to teach the need to recycle to help create a more sustainable future.

“Not wanting to recycle is a mindset. People have a perception that maybe using a bottle made from recycled plastic would be unhygienic but that is not the case. There is an entire process that goes into making recycled products,” Oberoi opined.

She also said that practically every material can be recycled. “We can reuse paper, clothes, glass, bottles, metal, and wood. This way, we can not only reuse but also recycle, which helps conserve natural resources and protect ecosystems, and wildlife. Therefore, it is important to teach children the need to recycle sustainably,” Oberoi explained.

Practically every material can be recycled. We can reuse paper, clothes, glass, bottles, metal, and wood. This way, we can not only reuse but also recycle, which helps conserve natural resources and protect ecosystems, and wildlife

–Shweta Oberoi, primary in-charge at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park

Reasons to recycle

1.       By recycling these materials, we can reduce the demand for virgin materials and conserve our natural resources. For instance, recycling one ton of paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 462 gallons of oil.

2.       Recycling can help save energy. The process of manufacturing new products from recycled materials requires less energy compared to producing new products from raw materials. For example, recycling aluminum cans uses 95 per cent less energy than producing new cans from bauxite ore.

3.       It can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Landfills are one of the largest sources of methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. When organic waste like food scraps and yard waste is sent to landfills, they decompose and produce methane gas. By diverting these materials from landfills through composting and recycling, we can significantly reduce methane emissions.

4.       The need to recycle can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Landfills take up valuable space and can contaminate the soil and water. By recycling, we can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, thereby preserving space and reducing the risk of soil and water contamination.

5.       Teaching children the need to recycle can help create a more sustainable future. The earth’s resources are finite, and we must use them wisely to ensure that future generations have access to the same resources we have.

“We always teach our students the importance of conservation. April and May are the two months when we hold a lot of activities in our school about conservation – these are our environment months. The students do a lot of activities like poster making and TED Talk where they talk about the importance of the environment to name a few,” Oberoi said and share a few things that students can do.

Three things students can do

1.       Do not throw away your old notebooks that have blank pages. Instead, they should remove those pages and make a rough notebook. If they are left with extra notebooks, they can be used for the next semester, or they can use them for rough work.

2.       They should try to find creative ways to reuse old objects. For example, they can paint old furniture or use it for a different purpose. This will help them develop a sense of creativity and make them more environmentally conscious.

3.       If students have old clothes, these can be recycled by making them into mats, or pillow covers, and redesigning a pair of old jeans into a skirt. Similarly, old newspapers can be cut into long strips and made into table mats after lamination.