What does recycling help conserve besides landfill space?

Recycling helps conserve natural resources and energy by reducing the need to extract, process, and manufacture new materials from virgin resources. When materials such as metals, glass, and paper are recycled, it minimizes the demand for raw materials, thereby preserving ecosystems and reducing the impact of resource extraction on the environment. Additionally, recycling processes typically use less energy compared to producing new products from raw materials. For example, recycling aluminum saves up to 95% of the energy required to create it from bauxite ore. This energy conservation leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment overall.

While recycling may have positive effects on water resources, labor costs, and transportation expenses, the most significant impact is the conservation of natural resources and energy, making it a compelling choice in waste management and environmental sustainability efforts.