It is taken to landfills, dumps and municipal incinerators for disposal, contributing to other environmental problems. These problems can range from atmospheric pollution to leaching into groundwater and surface water producing poor water quality and possibly disrupting ecosystems. Wastes do not go away. The Earth is made up of interconnected ecosystems, and everything we dispose of ultimately returns to us in one form or another. But we must do more.
Some people say that gold is the most recycled material in the world.
We recycle it because we place a high, although artificial, value on it. However, we cannot breathe, eat or drink gold. Repairing and reusing articles that would otherwise be discarded are effective ways to help limit resource use and keep valuable materials out of landfills. Even if we no longer have use for items such as clothing, toys, books, furniture and appliances, there are many agencies willing to accept them for repair, resale and reuse. When you really look at what you throw away, you'll begin to see resources where you used to see garbage.