Dear future President of the United States

Imagine a world where you went outside and took a deep breath of fresh air, and you could feel the cold, cool, soft air going in your lungs. Imagine that everyone recycled and the world was clean. Imagine a world where you didn’t just through your trash away mindlessly. Imagine a world where instead of touching something out you reused it to make something else. Mandatory recycling effects pollution, money in the economy and also why don’t some states have mandatory recycling...is it too expensive for people??

Pollution is a problem in the world...a major problem. Pollution can be fixed if people recycle. It would help a lot. Pollution is a killer in the world. “Over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals are killed by pollution every year.” (11 facts). Many animals are killed because of pollution. If you would just recycle instead of leaving it on the ground or putting it in the trash you could save some of these animals. Pollution has also affected people. “People who live in places with high levels of air pollutants have a 20% higher risk of death from lung cancer than people who live in less-polluted areas.” (11 facts). Pollution is risk to everyone some more than others. By recycling trash you see on the ground you could make a difference.

Not only does recycling reduce pollution, it also has economic benefits. Recycled products cost less than non-recycled products,“using fresh aluminum costs twice as much as using recycled aluminum. This is because a lot more energy (ie. 90% more) is needed to extract aluminum from its raw forms” (Recycling Benefits). We could save more than twice as much money if we recycle. “Recycling is 60% more cost effective than solid waste disposal on a cost per ton basis and a cost per pound basis.” (The Economic Benefits ). We are wasting a lot of money due to people not recycling. “In many areas there is now an economic incentive to recycle. As early as 2003 Fort Worth Texas was making $1,000,000 from their recycling program.” (The Economic Benefits ). On average, a person recycles 32 percent of waste per day. Just recycling little things can bring in a lot more money than you think.

Some states have mandatory recycling and some don’t. The following states have some type of mandatory recycling laws: Wisconsin, California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Oregon,and Connecticut. These areas have a lower pollution percent because they recycle more than other areas. States that make a law about mandatory recycling are more efficient and can make more money.“There are also voluntary programs and educational programs to increase recycling where it is not mandated by law.”(The Economic Benefits ). States like Texas have small laws to help enforce mandatory recycling. These laws might include people living in a house a provided with recycling surfaces so that they use them more. Also Recycling dumpsters and services are always available to residents.

Citations:

"Recycling Benefits to the Economy." All-Recycling-Facts.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.\

"11 Facts About Pollution." DoSomething.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.

The Economic Benefits The Economic Benefits The Economic Benefits The Economic Benefits

The Economic Benefits of Recycling and Waste Reduction – WasteWise Case (n.d.): n. pag. 2016. Web. 4 Nov. 2016.