We all seem to be concerned about environmental problems and the possible ways of solving them. This is a long time already since we are aware of the fact that the natural resources, we are using for our everyday needs, are not endless and that nature needs as much help from us as we can get from it. However, rather often people think, that such global issues as environment are called global because there should be created huge departments and commissions in order to control and solve them, not realizing, that in this case “global” means first of all that these problems need interference of everybody into the issue. One person seems to have too little power to do anything about serious and sophisticated environmental problems, such as loss of rain forests, acid rains, problems with ozone layer or global warming effects; however, in reality there are a lot of things, which he could do. One of the best examples of individual’s contribution might be waste reduction and proper recycling organization. We are all aware of the fact, that recycling is vitally important for controlling the garbage generation both in homes and enterprises, because it can reduce the number of landfills and incinerators. In some states, thanks to recycling there is a possibility to provide the environmentally preferable sources of materials for enterprises and industries. However, recycling should not be considered only as a local material management technique, its role in reduction of the environmental impacts of industrial products is enormous. Recycled materials, if they are used as a substitution for natural resources such as those taken from forests and mines, are able to provide considerable energy savings, along with reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as other air and water pollutants. This is evident, that on the other hand the natural resources are not so extremely used and have at least the chance for resumption.


Sometimes people are sure, that there should be only special materials for recycling, in reality these are just commonly used ones, which we see only as garbage afterwards. Thus plastic might be transformed into floor tile, oil bottles, fiber, carpets and so on; papers are usually used for making other papers, for example greeting cards, newspapers, paper towels, notepads, various cartons and so on; cardboard is usually transformed into cardboard again; recycled aluminum is processed into cans, gutters, different building materials; glass is used as glass and as new glass bottles. There is nothing difficult in the process of recycling, but at the same time the advantages of curbside recycling for environment are sufficient.
The first curbside recycling program was developed and launched in 1990, around 27 000 homes took part in it. They used the bin method of recycling. Later, another 19 000 homes got the possibility of “blue bag” recycling of Browning – Ferris. The experiment was a success. Another bright example of application of recycling strategies were the commercial and municipal recycling programs in Massachusetts, where in total around 6,715,671 tons of glass, paper, plastics, metals, computers and other materials were collected and afterwards used in processing of new products (Skumatz, 3). The researches proved, that as result of this campaign greenhouse gas emissions as well as energy, needed for industries, were sufficiently reduced, which is certainly a very important point for supporting the global climate in Massachusetts and in general.
Thus, we can conclude, that due to all actual advantages of curbside recycling for environment and economy, there is a strong need from the side of each citizen to take a grave view of this matter and take feasible part in it.
Works cited:
Skumatz, L. A. “Nationwide Diversion Rate Study—Quantitative Effects of Program Changes on Recycling and Green Waste Diversion: Beyond Case Studies.” Prepared for the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Seattle: SERA, Inc., 1996.


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