Saving raw materials and energy are the main environmental benefits of recycling, in addition to the fact that waste that can be recycled does not end up in the landfill.
HUESCA.—Urban waste that can be recycled includes glass packaging, cardboard packaging, paper and cardboard—even when not from packaging—and plastic packaging, metal cans and cartons. Of all waste produced, between 20 and 25 percent is paper and cardboard; between 15 and 20% is packaging for the yellow bin; and around 10% is glass packaging. These percentages are by weight, but vary when measured by volume. Packaging, for example, represents around 70% by volume.
The benefits achieved by recycling can be measured by examples such as that with each tonne of recycled cardboard save 2 cubic meters of landfill, 140 liters of oil, 50,000 liters of water and the life of 15 trees. A glass bottle that is recycled saves the energy needed to have a TV on for three hours, and for each metal can, the electrical energy to have a 20 watt lamp lit for 4 hours.
In order to achieve these benefits, citizen collaboration is needed, through selection at source. Waste should be classified into four types, and disposed of in the suitable container. It should be borne in mind that if organic matter is placed in cardboard or packaging containers, its contents are contaminated and the entire load of a truck cannot be recycled. Thus, the error of a citizen spoils the collaboration of the rest
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