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Recycling is the process of collecting certain materials that would otherwise be considered waste — like old metal, paper, wood, or plastic for example — and turning them into new “recycled” products.

The first step required for recycling is collecting recyclable materials from communities. Today many major cities and larger communities offer a curbside pick up service for recyclable materials.

Families who recycle items such as paper, bottles and cans, place the items in recycling collection bins. These bins usually have the recycling symbol on them. This is one of the most important steps for recycling because if people do not separate their recyclable materials from their trash then the materials will not be recycled. Instead they will be sent to the landfill with other trash.

Apart from the items you may recycle at home, many other things such as old tires, computers, mattresses, cars and more are recycled for parts and materials.

The second step involves processing the recyclable materials. This includes sorting the materials into groups, cleaning them and getting them ready to be sold to manufacturers who will turn the materials into new products.

Manufacturing is the third step in the recycling process. Today many products are made out of either total or partial post consumer (recycled) materials. Many items you may see every day are made from recycled materials. Newspapers, paper towels, office paper, plastic bottles and aluminum cans are not only made of recycled materials, but they can also be recycled again.

The last step, but certainly not the least, involves the purchasing of recycled products. When consumers purchase products that have been made with post consumer material the recycling process has been completed and can then be repeated. If you have the choice to purchase a product made from recycled materials, instead of one that was not, what do you think you should do? It takes education and awareness to remember to recycle and purchase recycled products.

The best way to avoid wasting valuable resources is to reduce consumption in the first place. For items that are used and can’t be re-used, recycling offers many benefits.

Recycling helps reduce the amount of trash that is disposed of in landfills. Recycling, rather than throwing things away, is also better for the environment. Currently it is believed that the amount of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere is causing global warming which can have devastating long term effects. Recycling is one of many ways that people can cut down the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into our atmosphere. Purchasing recycled paper is also better for the environment because it takes less energy to produce recycled paper and saves some trees along the way.

One of the best things you can do is learn more about recycling, and especially to spread the word and encourage others to recycle as much as possible. Does your family recycle? It is never to late to start conserving our precious resources.