Recycling
At Grady Pridgen, Inc. we know that recycling meets the needs of the community and the environment by eliminating waste from landfills, conserving natural resources and reducing pollution. There are many ways to encourage recycling. Many countries and cities have moved toward zero waste recycling, which totally eliminates waste disposal. There are many ways to encourage zero waste recycling. In Europe, a manufacturer of a product that cannot be recycled, re-used or composted is required to take the used product back from the consumer. This creates incentives for manufacturers to create recyclable materials and products.
But the larger goal is to make recycling a normal part of everyday life.
A University of Florida study documented that as far back as 1997, Florida could eliminate 50 percent of its garbage from landfills through composting and re-use. But Florida, unlike most states throughout the United States, continues to hold on to more traditional means of waste disposal.
Boulder Colorado has reduced their solid waste disposal and land fills by 65% and has implemented a zero waste recycling objective. San Fransisco is also a leader in zero waste recycling efforts in the United States. World Wide over 30 countries and cities have implemented zero waste recycling goals and procedures.
Why recycle?
Create jobs — The recycling process creates far more jobs than landfills.
It Saves Natural Resources — By making products from recycled materials instead of virgin materials, we conserve and reduce the need to drill for oil and dig for minerals.
It Saves Energy — It usually takes less energy to make recycled products; recycled aluminum, for example, takes less energy than new aluminum from bauxite ore.
It Saves Clean Air and Water — In most cases, making products from recycled materials creates less air pollution and water pollution than making products from virgin materials.
It Saves Landfill Space — When the materials that you recycle go into new products, they don’t go into landfills or incinerators, so landfill space is conserved.
It Saves Money — Recycling can frequently be the least expensive waste management method for cities and towns.
