involves repurposing waste into a new good, thereby creating the opportunity to reduce waste production. In today’s manufacturing practices, many companies that are striving to implement more sustainable and ethical practices into their production processes have emphasized the use of recycled ingredients in their commercial products. For example, a myriad of sustainable apparel companies today pride themselves on utilizing plastic bottles and fishing nets to create new, eco-conscious clothing. The development of a new material from waste highlights how sustainable practices can ultimately reduce the amount of waste that goes out into the world.

Sustainable manufacturers commonly use recycled materials such as cotton, cashmere or wood fibers to emphasize their commitment to demonstrating slow production and preserving the earth’s finite natural resources. As the use of recycled materials in commercial production processes increases, the environmental degradation that arises from harmful extraction practices such as logging and mining ultimately decreases, demonstrating a negative correlation between the two practices. 

According to the EPA, recycling has become an increasingly crucial sustainable practice. Eco-friendly habits conserve and protect natural resources, reduce the amount of waste in landfills or incinerators, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution, save energy and also preserve the biodiversity of our existing ecosystems. 

The recent rise in recycling has not only heavily contributed to environmental protection and the raising of awareness regarding the value of our earth’s natural resources, but the practice has also benefited the viability of America’s modern economy as well. According to the EPA’s Recycling Statistics, a single year of reusing and recycling can contribute to up to 681,000 new jobs, $37.8 billion in wages and $5.5 billion in tax revenues.