The History of Recycling: Evolving with Time

 Recycling has been around as long as there have been humans to do it.

Recycling is not a modern-day activity. Studies show that since time immemorial, our ancestors re-used anything that was useful. It was not as we use the concept of recycling formally these days.

Those days, large trees were felled to make tools and ornaments. Once rendered useless those tools were used for different alternative uses and lastly the wood was used for fire. They were expert in recycling and reusing these same tools to perform different tasks.

The need to protect the environment was not felt gravely as natural resources were in plenty to be exploited. With time, human desires became more and more pressing. Along with meeting everyday requirements, these natural resources especially wood came to be decorated into more intricate and artistic creations. Still the need for war material was not felt as peace and harmony prevailed among nations.

Origin Of Recycling

It was in this peaceful atmosphere that ideas and creativity flourished. The knowledge to recycle and reuse broken pieces of wood to make new products came into force. Until the advent of plastic, forest resources were considered the most versatile of mediums that could be used and reused.

Today, we look for alternatives for wood , as it is scarce. Rising environmental threats are pushing us to opt for materials that can be recovered and reused, like screws, bolts, dowels, etc. Recycling wooden products will help in reducing the pressure on already depleting forest resources.

The Three R’s of Recycling

We should focus on considering the three R’s, i.e. recycled, reused and reduce. The need of the hour is to focus on strategies that would minimize pollution and conserve energy, as the entire process of recycling involves use of considerable amounts of electricity and causes further pollution.

Until date, no item could perfectly replace wood, either they are fragile or rust easily. Though significant proportion of these objects are collected and recycled again, an equal proportion is also sent to landfills or for incineration. With time, we need to look for an alternative strategy, as more and more wastes being thrown to landfills or for incineration can cause serious environmental threats.

The best strategy is to reclaim wooden products so that can passed onto the next generation. In addition to the three R’s, i.e. reduce, reuse and recycle, the incorporation of reclaim as the fourth R, can contribute significantly not only to the community but to the protection of natural resources as well.