Recycling is the process of collecting reusable waste products, such as plastic and glass. Instead of being thrown away, these materials are used to manufacture a variety of new products. Aluminium cans, for example, can be recycled and ready to use again in less than 2 months. Recycling electronic waste can help recover metals such as gold, silver, copper, as well as some components that can be used in new devices. And glass can be recycled endlessly without compromising its quality or purity.
It is estimated that up to 70% of the garbage we dispose of could be recycled. However, most of it goes to waste - a very small percentage is actually recycled and reused. For example, only about 13% of electronic waste is recycled nowadays. And if at least 50% of the food waste were converted into biogas, there would be enough power to serve millions of homes annually. Unfortunately, recycling is still not the norm in most parts of the world.
The good news is, recently it has opened up a wide range of new business opportunities, and it's becoming more and more profitable. Organizations all over the world are promoting the concepts of recycling and proper waste management. These processes help reduce the amount of waste in overcrowded garbage dumps, salvage materials that can be used to make new products, and conserve natural resources.
In addition, some visionary start-up companies have emerged across the world with innovative ideas, such as using old jeans to make sunglasses, or plastic bottles to make shoes. The possibilities seem to be endless.
Dolphin mosaic made out of plastic bottle caps
