Recycling

= What is it? = RECYCLE-the process of reusing the materials one would usually throw out so that they can be produced into newer products. There are many different things we can recycle, some of which are paper, aluminum, plastic,or glass. REDUCE- change the amount of disposable products you use. It costs you more money to replace them and there is more packaging to be thrown out causing more waste in land fills. REUSE- instead of going out and buying a new lamp that is broken fix it. Instead of using something that isn't recyclable exchange it for a reusable container that you can wash out when you're done with it (2008).

= What problems is it trying to address? = It helps conserve our resources and reduce the amount of pollution in our atmosphere. It also saves energy because factories the won't need to make newer products. It produces less carbon in the air because the products either aren't being broken down in landfills or aren't being recreated in the factories. It is trying to address that people need to stop wasting supplies that can be reused and reproduced into everyday items (Lamb, 2002).

= When is it useful? = It is useful in our everyday lives. We can recycle anywhere and almost everything. One way we can recycle is by using the system of composting. Composting is the natural way of recycling (Lerner, 2006). We can recycle plastic and paper. The steps that are taken to do so are shown below. Typically the process consists of us putting the material in bins and is taken away to factories where it is processed. Once it is processed it is reproduced into materials such as toilet paper or cereal boxes. The products are then sold back to us. By doing this we are saving money and producing less carbon in the air from factories. == = What nutrient cycles does it relate to and is it a viable solution to protect the biosphere? = Recycling relates to the carbon cycle because it helps put the cycle back in order by lessening the amount of carbon produced in the air by factories. Factories burns fossil fuels that produce carbon which are released into the atmosphere(Rank). Since products are being recycled factories aren't used as much because new products don't need to be made. Since more carbon isn't being produced in the atmosphere the carbon cycle stays more in balance. If the cycle is in better balance there is less heat. Another thing helping the balance stay in play is Carbon Sequestration.

= = = What are the possible consequences to the environment? = There are no negative effects on the environment. The whole purpose of recycling s to benefit the environment. It helps reduce the amount of waste in land fills, which in turn is producing carbon and other toxic gases in the air. The carbon cycle is helped because less carbon is being made which is a good thing for the environment because the hating from the excessive amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

(2008, May 29). The three r's: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Retrieved October 15, 2009, from Missouri Department of Natural Resources Web site: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/pubs-reports/threers.htm

Lamb, Annette (2002, February ). The topic: recycle-reduce-reuse. Retrieved October 15, 2009, Web site: http://42explore.com/recycle.htm

Lerner, B. (2006, March 24). Compost is Recycling Naturally. Retrieved October 14, 2009, from Purdue extension Website: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/compost.html

Rank, J. Carbon Cycle. Retrieved October 17, 2009, from Science clarified Web site: http://www.scienceclarified.com/Ca-Ch/Carbon-Cycle.html

media type="youtube" key="fAapw1UwhMI" height="344" width="425" This video shows us how much we have wasted over the years. It also tells us what we can do to help stop wasting materials and we can do it and it shows us what we are saving when we recycle.