Every day, Maryland homes and businesses produce 39 million pounds of solid waste. Across the United States, public concern about reducing solid waste is on the rise. As our landfills reach capacity and as alternatives such as waste reduction, recycling, and incineration are developed, people are becoming more aware of their role in promoting sensible disposal practices that will reduce the volume of solid waste and protect the environment. There are many reasons why recycling makes good sense. It saves energy, conserves natural resources, and helps protect the environment.
Recycling saves energy.
Recycling conserves natural resources. This is especially true when we recycle metal and paper. Recycling helps protect the environment. By reducing the amount of waste we generate, we help minimize the threat posed by harmful substances within the waste stream. Recycling also reduces the volume of waste that must be incinerated or landfilled.