Three reasons why we should recycle

There are financial as well as environmental reasons why everyone should participate in recycling and spread the word about reducing waste.

We all know that recycling is good for the environment and that it is the right thing to do. However, many people have not internalized the many benefits of recycling, which often go beyond pure environmental factors.

Recycling is a way to save the Earth, as well as to save money for one's own family, create jobs across the U.S. and ensure a healthy environment for future generations. Here are five reasons why everyone should recycle.

1. To save money. Bringing in old cellphones and ink cartridges, as well as batteries, can often lead to pay-backs from the manufacturer or retailer. This means that a company - such as an electronics store - will pay to take back old products. Other times, the company might offer a rebate for bringing in recycled electronics.

2. To save resources. According to PaceButler.com, "throwing away a single aluminum can, versus recycling it, is like pouring out six ounces of gasoline. Last year, Americans recycled enough aluminum cans to conserve the energy equivalent of more than 15 million barrels of oil." Next time, before you toss out that can of soda, imagine that you are pouring gas into the little garbage can next to the park.

3. To create jobs. The numbers speak for themselves when it comes to the connection between recycling and job creation. Every time we recycle 10,000 tons of waste, 36 jobs are created, reports Pace Butler.

Therefore, if the motto of recycling - "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" - has not become ingrained in your mind and daily actions, consider a new motto: "Money, Gas, and Jobs." All three of those things are among the benefits of recycling.