Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. Collecting used bottles, cans, and newspapers and taking them to the curb or to a collection facility is just the first in a series of steps that generates a host of financial, environmental, and social returns. Some of these benefits accrue locally as well as globally.

Benefits of Recycling

• Recycling protects and expands U.S. manufacturing jobs and increases U.S. competitiveness.
• Recycling reduces the need for landfilling and incineration.
• Recycling prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from virgin materials.
• Recycling saves energy.
• Recycling decreases emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.
• Recycling conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals.
• Recycling helps sustain the environment for future generations.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

There are many ways to produce less waste:

• Reduce the amount and toxicity of trash you throw away and reuse containers and products.
• Recycle as much as possible and buy products with recycled content.
• Practice composting by using microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) to decompose organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings.

In Your Home

The best place to start making a difference is at home. Learn how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle materials to decrease household waste, including food, paper, electronics, cleaners, pesticides, motor oil, and lawn and garden waste. Also, check out EPA's shopping tips to help make smart decisions at the store with resource conservation in mind.

At the Office

Offices contribute a significant portion of our nation's waste stream. Understand the importance of business involvement in material and waste management, and identify opportunities to engage and motivate employers and employees. Guidance is available for small and large offices, as well as food service organizations and specialized service organizations (e.g. dry cleaners).

In Industry

Almost all industrial processes produce waste that can be turned into usable materials. In some cases, recycled goods can even enhance a product's quality and durability (such as coal fly ash, which strengthens concrete). Discover how reusing, reducing, and recycling industrial materials and waste can have a direct, positive impact on the environment.

At the Store

Take steps when shopping to reduce the amount of waste you generate.

(Courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)