How does recycling contribute to combating climate change?

Recycling contributes to combating climate change primarily by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. When materials such as paper, glass, and metals are recycled, the process generally requires less energy compared to producing new products from raw materials. This energy savings leads to reduced fossil fuel consumption, which is a significant source of greenhouse gases.

For example, recycling aluminum can save up to 95% of the energy required to produce new aluminum from bauxite ore. This reduction in energy use directly translates to lower emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which is crucial for mitigating climate change impacts.

By reducing the energy demand and subsequently the emissions associated with manufacturing, recycling plays a vital role in decreasing the overall carbon footprint. Thus, it supports efforts to reduce the severity of climate change and promotes a more sustainable use of resources.