The recycling of waste materials is important for not only environmental but also economic, social and other beneficial outcomes. The recycling of aluminum, plastics and other waste materials conserve energy, reduce air and water pollution, reduce greenhouse gases, conserve natural resources, shrink other forms of pollution and help the environment in several other ways. Recycling leads to the preservation of natural resources by reusing the already procured materials. Recycling contributes to the economy and brings social benefits in several ways including saving production and energy costs. Many countries have increased their efforts to recycle waste materials in recent decades but it is still less focused in many other countries. Among countries, developed countries use recycling technologies more.
Recycling — converting waste products into reusable material — may be mechanical, energy and chemical recycling. Mechanical recycling, in which residues are mechanically transformed into new materials without changing their chemical structures, is rendered one of the most globally used methods of giving residues new usage. It is notable that plastic bags and several other plastic materials, containers (including food and beverage containers), papers, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, food wastes, e-wastes and many other materials are recycled. But recycling is given less emphasis in many countries. The recycling rate in the United States is around 34 percent. Among other countries that emphasize recycling, the United Kingdom and France recycle around half of their waste. But most countries do not provide adequate focus on recycling.
Definitely, there are many recycling facility based, physical, environmental and other barriers that lead to less use of recycling techniques and inefficient recycling in different countries, though recycling is beneficial for all countries. A lack of government recycling programs or an indifference of city administrators to recycling is an important barrier to recycling in many countries. Different cities lack government support to have adequate recycling systems and services. Also, a lack of expertise and training, an unequal sharing of the costs and benefits of recycling, a deficient infrastructure and a shortfall of professional management are some other important barriers. A lack of expertise makes it difficult to undertake large scale recycling initiatives in an effective and efficient manner.
Recycling requires high upfront costs and takes energy. Though this is not the case for all materials, some materials cost more to recycle than others and many city governments —consequently — choose not to recycle glass and plastic. A lack of effective recycling guidelines remains a significant barrier to recycling waste materials. This is especially a barrier to the recycling of the electronic waste in many countries, though e-waste management has received significant attention from developed and evolving economies. Inconvenience, inadequate separate bins and limited access to recycling bin containers, location (such as waste produced far from recycling sites) and thinking of recycling as a waste of time are among other significant obstacles to recycling in many countries.
Notably, there are several negative impacts of recycling but they are more when poor recycling quality is maintained. Recycling sites are unhygienic and unsafe, recycling often results in pollutants and products from recycled waste may not be durable. Recycled products are low quality, even though it is not true for all materials including metals that can be recycled infinitely, and there is a low market demand for recycled materials. The safety of those who are involved with recycling is often a cause of concern. Yet its positive outcomes are more than negative ones, even if recycling is not a perfect solution to the environmental problems of the world. Moreover, it is a crucial way to reduce the environmental impact of waste.
It is important to increase the use of recycling methods at the desirable level in different countries. In this respect, barriers to recycling need to be addressed. An effective recycling system needs to be in place. But intensive safety compliance at every recycling plant and rigorous safety training are imperative to improve safety conditions. Also, the quality of recycling needs to be improved. Attitudinal and motivational challenges need to be mitigated. Growing cities across the world need to give more emphasis on recycling. Emphasis also needs to be given to the recycling of e-waste management. Manufacturing single-use plastic also needs to be reduced. In this respect, a strong political commitment is needed.
