Recycling

By Lucas Laughlin

Recycling is one of the most important ways to keep our earth clean. It helps reduce landfills and keeps our earth from becoming a huge dump. It also prevents global warming.

Recycling takes a used product or material and uses it to make a new product. An example would be when you recycle paper. First it is taken to a recycling center. Next it is taken to a paper mill. At the mill, workers unload the paper into warehouses. Next the paper is broken down into a pulp, which is cut up paper mixed with water and chemicals. The pulp is then forced through tiny holes to remove small pieces of glue and other items. Then the pulp undergoes a variety of cleaning processes. After that, the pulp is put out on a conveyer and dried. Then it is cut and put in large rolls that are shipped out to companies and stores. This is how paper is recycled.

If we don’t recycle paper we will have to continue to cut down more trees. Places like the rainforest will be cut down to make paper. This will cause many animals in the rain forest to become extinct because their home is being cut down and their food source will be destroyed. This is just one example of what will happen if we don’t recycle and take care of our earth.

If we do not recycle then our atmosphere will thin out because of the pollution and let harmful rays from the sun through. This also lets heat in which melts the ice caps. If our polar ice caps melt it could flood most coastline cities in the world.

Two recycle bins at Buffalo Ridge Elementary after one day's use.

Here are some things you can do to help:

  • Replace the 5 most used light bulbs in your house with bulbs that have the energy star.
  • If you buy new appliances for your home, buy items with the energy star
  • Clean your air filters and have a licensed professional tune your heating and cooling equipment annually
  • Seal the air leaks (windows and doors) to keep heat energy inside your house
  • Buy energy star qualified windows to keep heat inside your home
  • Use green power such as solar power, which is a renewable energy source
  • Buy recycling bins for your house to recycle paper, plastic, and metal
  • Use a push mower instead of a power mower for your yard
  • If you use a power motor, then use a mulching mower
  • Tell your friends and family about recycling and how you can help


By April 16, of this year, over 37,500,000,000 drink containers have been land-filled, littered, and incinerated. Start recycling your bottle caps now.
Save Sea Animals

Recycle Bottle Caps

Did you know that even if you recycle plastic bottles, their caps are cut off and are thrown in landfills and oceans? This is a problem because curious, young sea animals often eat them. This can choke the animal or end up in their stomach, which can lead to malnutrition and eventually death.

Here is How You Can Help

“From March 10th through May 10th, Aveda stores will be accepting any and all of your hard plastic caps (e.g. from bottles of water and soda, laundry detergent, facial cleansers, shampoo, etc.). To participate, visit aveda.com/stores to find an Aveda store location near you. Don't see one within driving distance? Mail in your caps instead to: Aveda Re-Cap Program, ACA Waste Services, 40 EADS Street in Babylon, NY 11704. Bonus: Bring in 25 or more caps and you'll receive a free sample from one of Aveda's hair or body-care lines (limit one per customer).”

http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/8016
If we don't recycle bottle caps many sea lions, like the one above, and other animals will die because they will try to eat the bottle caps and choke.

Information and pictures from: amystodghill.greenoptions.com, http://www.epa.gov, http://earth911.org/, http://www.eia.doe.gov, http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/8016, www.ci.tuscaloosa.al.us, http://cooltext.com/Render-Result?RenderID=84683255, riofilms.com, http://www.container-recycling.org