The Real Future of Recycling - Literature review Example

Argumentative Essay Introduction As the world is getting older the problems which were previously not sighted are becoming grave and are posing athreat to the integrity to the global structure. The world has many scarce resources which need to be used effectively and efficiently. However gradually with time it is noted that these resources have been used ineffectively and they are becoming scarce to this limit that essential sources that are being used by the human beings are becoming difficult to produce. Thus to counteract this problem a special phenomena of recycling was derived. By recycling it is meant that the products which are being used once and thrown away are being manufactured in such a way that their raw materials can be used again to form the new products of the same generation. (Mitchell 2007) The logo ‘Reduce, reuse and recycle’ has been derived to lower down the waste products in the world and reuse these waste products to produce new efficient ones. Specific materials are present in this world which can be recycled which are glass, plastics, cans, metals, papers etc. Recycling has grown to be a global issue because of the alarming condition of the resources in this world and it has almost become obligatory on every household and businesses in the developed countries. (Yeoman & McKee 2000). This paper would revolve around the issue of Recycling and would provide both the viewpoints regarding the success or failure of Recycling in this world. Essay The logo ‘Reduce Reuse and Recycle’ is specifically used to depict the process of recycling in this world. In developed countries it is seen that many of the households and businesses have taken special measures which help in recycling products which are being used. Authorities in these developed countries are taking measures which would ensure that recycling rate is increasing. As quoted by Sandy Irvine “the European Commission is making moves in the same direction.” (1998) Businesses such as shopping markets and business centers have special sites for the dumping of articles which can be recycled. Similarly the citizens in the developed countries are obliged to dump all the products that are used in recycle bins so that they can be used again. Government is intervening in recycling programs by investing in roadside recycling bins and other plants which would help to recycle waste products. The waste products of households are usually taken by waste collection vehicles which then take the waste materials to specific plants (Mitchell 2007). As the waste products are a mixture of different products they are sorted in a plant and the products which are useful are then sent to industries which would be able to use them. If all these processes are analyzed it would seem that recycling in the world is successful enough to curb the problems of the world. Proponents of the success of recycling put forward all these measures taken by the governments and the responsibilities taken by the households when arguing. They argue that the plastics and other products which can be harmful to the environment are being recycled properly in the industries because of the plants developed by the respective authorities (Mitchell 2007 & Arsen 1972). But here again it is believed by many that recycling has not been successful enough in the world today. They put forward facts to tell that the recycling rate of products in this world is still very low and many of the products being used are simply being dumped in the landfill sites. As put forward by Sandy Irvine “Certainly there is a great deal still to be done. Globally, some 66% of all aluminum and 75% of all steel and paper is simply dumped on the environment. In Britain, less than 5% of domestic waste is currently recycled. In the case of plastic wastes, only 10% is reclaimed while 20% is burned and the rest pollutes landfill sites. Britain dumps some 2.5 million disposable nappies each year.”(1998) According to these opponents it is believed that the logo ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ is not being followed but rather first two objects of this logo are being followed. Recycling is not being considered to be of immense importance by individuals but rather reducing the waste and reusing materials is being emphasized upon. It is seen that recycling is being done to reduce the waste products in the society but if the base facts of the situation in this world are reviewed then it can be viewed that the waste products are only increasing rather than decreasing. As it is quoted in Brian Yeomann and John McKee’s article “Despite our recycling efforts, garbage production in the United States grew from 152 million tons in 1980 to 217 million tons in 1997, an increaseof 43%.”(2000) It is seen that most of the products that enter the recycling bin are usually transported to landfill wastes or are burned to pollute the environment. The emphasis on recycling the products is less only because of the fact that people have formed their state of mind to think that recycled products do not give the same quality as do the new ones. The mind set of people is greatly affecting the whole cycle of recycling as if recycled products are not being used much the businesses would tend not to enter the arena of recycling. Individuals in the world do not think about wasting the products but rather emphasize on reducing and reusing them. This means that the individuals tend to buy products and use them inefficiently and throw them away. Disposable cups, cameras and other products can be an example of this type. Individuals tend to buy all these commodities and throw them away not thinking about the threat that they would pose. Recycling the goods has not proved to be successful enough as great emphasis is being paid upon reducing the waste only. Individuals in this world are not realizing the fact that the more the waste material is being thrown away the more difficult it is getting to recycle them (Yeoman & McKee 2000 & Mitchell 2007). Conclusion Although the proponents of successful recycling have right theories regarding it but they do not put forward the base facts as to how much waste products are not being recycled. The measures taken by governments and respective authorities are efficient enough but the amount of waste products in the world are even more. Thus it can be said that recycling in this world has not proved to be efficient enough and is unsuccessful and further steps should be taken by the authorities and government to tackle this problem. Bibliography The Failure (and Success) of Recycling Top of FormBrian K Yeoman & John McKee. National Association of Educational Broadcasters. NAEB Journal. Urbana, Ill: The Association, 2000. Specific Issues in Recycling by Sandy Irvine & Alec Ponton 1998 Technology & Production Systems-General Top of Form Young, Mitchell. Garbage and Recycling. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007 Bottom of Form Top of Form Darnay, Arsen J. Recycling: Assessments & Prospects for Success. Solid waste management series (United States. Office of Solid Waste), SW-53 p. Wash: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1972. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More