| To recycle means to save virgin raw materials | | | | In normal conditions, it's much more cheaper to |
| and to re-process already used products; recycling | | | | recycle than to produce new raw materials. The |
| has presently become almost a stand point one | | | | fact is that all recycle techniques use energy for |
| takes towards the environmental problems on our | | | | processing, transport, not to mention the water |
| planet. All recycle ideas are common things | | | | quantity necessary to cool down the machines. |
| throughout our modern history. Even before, in | | | | Recycling has different costs depending on the |
| ancient times, metallic scraps were recovered for | | | | collecting methods; thus, collective recycling costs |
| melting; then, when awareness increased that to | | | | about $60 per ton, while separate collecting is |
| recycle paper means to save forests, Britain | | | | more that $150 per ton. |
| founded the first waste paper association in the | | | | Elements like mercury are very hard to manage, |
| modern history of the world. | | | | so the European Union banned the export of |
| Recycle ideas were more appreciated after the | | | | mercury in an effort to avoid accidents. And even |
| two world wars. In World War II all countries | | | | if there are voices that claim, mercury recycling is |
| involved in the conflagration collected metals from | | | | much more difficult and expensive, the ecologists' |
| their citizens, and in Japan, for instance, the effort | | | | arguments remain valid: we should support the |
| of recycling materials continued even after | | | | idea of recycling even when it isn't |
| hostilities ended. In time as the energy cost was | | | | “profitable”! |
| increased in 1970s, companies were forced to | | | | Batteries make another special case as they |
| invest more in recycling programs. | | | | contain toxic heavy metals so they are both |
| If a company recycles aluminum it uses only five | | | | profitable for collecting companies and also protect |
| per cent of the total amount of energy required | | | | natural environment; yet size and battery type |
| to make a virgin production. Recycling plastics | | | | variations make the recycle effort more difficult. |
| saves over 70% energy as compared to the | | | | Older batteries contained mercury and cadmium, |
| manufacturing process, while recycled paper | | | | toxic substances that required safe manipulation, |
| requires 40% less energy. Raw materials | | | | whereas car batteries contain acid and are easier |
| recovered from collecting companies are purer, | | | | to recycle or even to recharge. |
| transport is much cheaper, since for example | | | | Another ecological problem is to dispose of old |
| bauxite or aluminum must be brought from Brazil. | | | | electrical equipment such as mobile phones and |
| So the environmental, social and most of the | | | | computers. The recycling process is hindered since |
| economic costs are reduced drastically by recycle | | | | all components must be separated on categories. |
| techniques. If in the past recycle companies | | | | Dismantling can also bring serious profits to |
| accepted only certain materials such plastic or | | | | collecting and recycle companies as most |
| metallic scraps, over the last years a wider range | | | | electronics contain small amounts of copper and |
| of products have started to be accepted for | | | | gold, hence, we've got another good reason to |
| recycling. | | | | reuse waste products. |