The role of recycling in resource conservation and environmental protection

According to IPEN research, each material—plastic, glass, paper, or aluminium—has its challenges and benefits.

Recycling offers a pathway to sustainable resource management, helping to reduce waste and lessen environmental impact. According to IPEN research, each material—plastic, glass, paper, or aluminium—has its challenges and benefits.

Plastics are widely used, but only 9% are effectively recycled. Issues like toxicity and microplastic pollution complicate the recycling process, and most plastics can only be recycled once or twice, limiting their reuse potential.

Concerns about disposal methods, such as plastic incineration, which releases pollutants into the air, also persist. In response, countries like Kenya have implemented laws to reduce plastic bag usage and minimise plastic waste.

Recycling paper uses less energy than creating new paper from trees, making it a more sustainable option compared to plastic. However, if not managed carefully, paper recycling can still lead to water pollution. Paper fibres also degrade in quality with each cycle, limiting their reuse. In Asia, recycled paper is often repurposed for books or school supplies, maximising its value.

Recycling aluminium is highly efficient, saving 95% of the energy required to produce new aluminium. Unlike many other materials, aluminium can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, making it one of the most sustainable resources to reuse.

Glass is another highly recyclable material that retains its quality through each cycle. When recycled locally, glass waste is diverted from landfills, where it would otherwise take thousands of years to decompose. However, some areas' low awareness about recycling practices highlights a need for more community education.