Environmental Facts

Recycling produces a beneficial domino effect on all life forms on earth. There will be less pressure on the usage of virgin materials from forest and mineral resources.   More forest means more trees and preserved habitat for wildlife.  More trees mean greater absorption capacity of pollutants emitted by factories and vehicles into the atmosphere.  Less energy used in manufacturing results in less pollution and a cleaner environment.  Thus, the simple process of recycling can generate a massive environmental impact.

Recycling has been practiced throughout human history.  However, it was only recently that the need to recycle has received worldwide awareness.  The weird weather and natural calamities have been blamed on the abuse of the environment.  Recycling is definitely a way of protecting our earth.

Recycle4kids recycles plastics particularly inkjet and toner cartridges. Aside from raising funds for charity, the program provides the following benefits:
1. MINIMIZES GLOBAL WARMING
There is less energy spent on cleaning, rinsing and re-manufacturing the recycled object itself. It takes about three ounces of oil to produce a virgin core inkjet cartridge and about a gallon of oil to produce a virgin core laser cartridge. Using recycled materials, the consumption of fossil fuel is reduced substantially. Result: less emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants destructive to the environment.

2.  REDUCES THE USE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS
The chemical components of a cartridge are toner powder, ink, plastic casing, aluminum and other parts which are all harmful to our environment.  If not properly disposed, these chemicals have adverse effect on public health. Recycling cartridges reduces the use of toxic chemicals to produce virgin cartridges.

3. ADDRESSES SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL PROBLEMS
Almost 90% of empty cartridges are incinerated or dumped in our landfills, which takes more than 1,000 years to decompose!  Landfill emits toxic pollutants into the air and groundwater such as cyanide, dioxins, mercury, methane, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and lead.  Incineration adds to global warming.

4. CREATES JOBS AND PROMOTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Recycling creates more jobs.  More people are employed to sort, clean, rinse and transport the recycled materials.  More employment promotes economic welfare.
   


Environment Trivia
  • In 1987, the US used almost one billion barrels of petroleum to manufacture plastics. That's enough to meet US demand for imported oil for five months.
  • Humans dump more than 45,000 tons of plastic trash into the world's oceans every year, killing up to one million seabirds and sea creatures annually.
  • Recycling one ton of material in typical recycling program can conserve at least $187 worth of electricity, petroleum, natural gas, and coal, even after considering the energy used to collect and transport the material.
  • The energy conserved in 1998 because of recycling was enough to power more than nine million household for one year.