More and more people are starting to become aware of the severe impact that our world is going through and the limitations of our resources. Over the past 30 years or so, recycling has become more than just a nice way to reuse resources, it's become the vital way to save our planet's resources from vanishing completely.

Recycling is not just something we should think about, it's something we all have an obligation to participate in. When we recycle we renew or rather sustain our world's supply of resources but it is going to take a global awareness of the severity of the problem for it to be truly effective.

One example of this issue in action is plastic bottles. Plastic is a 100% renewable resource and if everyone were to put plastic bottles in the right bin and take them down to be processed into new water bottles or even parts for a car, then we would not be filling our landfills with plastic that not only doesn't degrade fast enough or offer the landfill any organic resources, but we'd save a valuable resource for use in a billion different ways. In a landfill a plastic bottle simply takes up room. Our landfills are becoming a problem because this non bio-degradable product doesn't break down like organic matter or paper, it simply remains there - and accumulates (since more and more is generated each day).

An environmentally conscious world would be incredible because if we all just took the extra moment to recycle we'd have more than enough resources to sustain us for thousands of years, but if we continue to mindlessly or selfishly not recycle we will find that our world will soon not be able to sustain life as it has been.

The following are some great ways to recycle that you may not be aware of:

1. Old computers, cell phones, and digital equipment that is outdated should not be thrown away in the garbage. There are recycling centers all over town that accept these old devices. All digital equipment can be recycled into many different parts from the metals lining the circuit board to the silicone, and metals in it. The plastic can be recycled and used in everything from cars to pace makers!
2. Recycling old car batteries and disposable batteries used in everything from remote controls to yes, pace makers. Many stores now carry an old cell phone or dead batteries bin to make it as easy as dropping them off when you go to the store. This seems like a simple move but it actually does a great deal. Car batteries are highly recyclable and in fact when you buy a new battery you get a nice chunk of change when you give them your old battery.
3. Copper, alloy, aluminum, and other metals are finite in how much our earth has left. You may not know it but you can actually take your old copper pipes, aluminum, and other metal fixtures down to recycle for cash. Going back to the digital products, there are actually several precious metals used in many devices from gold to silver to titanium!
4. Motor oil. Many don't realize that simply bottling up their old motor oil and taking it to any auto parts store can do a tremendous amount of good for the environment. This old oil can cause a great deal of harm if disposed of improperly including causing cancer when thrown in a field and leaked into the water and food supply! Some stores will give you a discount on your new oil purchases if you bring in your old oil.

Recycling also leads to cost effective purchasing as well: Recycling old computers leads to refurbished computers being created and sold at a fraction of the cost of a new non re-furbished unit. The beauty is that the refurbished unit is brand new and just as sturdy and valuable as the non refurbished unit. The difference is that the company making them doesn't have to purchase all new materials which adds to the price you pay.

Overall recycling is one of the most responsible things you can do and if we all do our part we can save this world, the only one we have. We believe if more people saw the impact that recycling actually has on our environment and even our economy- our wallets/purses, then they would recycle in a heartbeat. Will you?