Spatz 1

Cassidy Spatz

Professor Watson

English 1001

24 October 2018

Reduce, Reuse, Required! Commented [KW1]: Very catchy title!

I am sure all of you have heard the saying reduce, reuse, recycle. Does everyone follow

this slogan though? The answer is everyone can do more to help the earth in one way or another. Commented [KW2]: Very good opener!

The fact is our population is growing and not shrinking and with each person comes a significant

amount of waste created. In just New York, people produce enough trash in one day to fill the

Empire State building. (Schenker) Recycling is defined as “reprocessing discarded solid

materials into new, useful products.” It has many benefits and prevents many problems which

will be discussed further on. Recycling is a big issue today and there is discussion on whether its

needed and how much it is needed. Creating a mandatory recycling program is crucial for our

environment and everyone that inhabits it. Commented [KW3]: Valid point. I agree, a mandatory
recycling program is crucial and a great idea.

Recycling is taking used materials that are labeled as recyclable and putting them into

either a recycling bin, or over to the nearest facility into their bin so they can be taken and take

on a new purpose. “Forty-two states now have their own recycling or waste diversion goals, and

18 are trying to divert upwards of half their waste via recycling or composting.” (Moss) It can

prevent the waste of materials that have only been used once and give it a “second life.” An

important factor is that it can slow down and reduce the consumption of new and raw materials,

which in turn reduce energy usage, air pollution, and water pollution. (Moss) The natural
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resources we have now on earth are limited so everyone has to do their best to conserve, recycle,

and reuse whenever we can. Commented [KW4]: Good way to use your sources to
support your point on recycling.

Recycling can lower the amount of waste sent to landfills that take years to decompose

and harm the environment. Manufacturing products from recycled materials can ultimately give

the benefits of using less power, electricity, fuel and water which result in cheaper production

costs. “In 2005, the United States generated about 246 million tons of municipal solid waste, or

over 1,600 pounds per person, according to the most current Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) estimates. EPA reported that 79 million tons of this waste were recycled, while the

remaining 166.7 million tons were combusted, went to landfills, or were otherwise disposed of.”

(Stephenson) Even though the national recycling rate has increased about 15% from 1990 to

2000 it has then since leveled out at 32%. To make a difference, the best way would be if

everyone recycled and tried to be smart about the amount of waste they create. With mandatory

recycling, studies show that the US could recycle sixty to eighty percent of their municipal

waste. (Stephenson)

It is obvious that there are benefits to recycling and reusing but what are they? Recycling can Commented [KW5]: Good question to ask to keep the
audience’s attention.
conserve natural resources, such as oil, coal, trees, water, and minerals. Paper can be recycled up

to 7 times and even better is that aluminum, steel and glass can be recycled infinite times, so it is

a waste to use new and raw materials when we don’t need to. In fact, the process of paper

recycling uses 90% less water than producing it from scratch. In addition to that, the recycling Commented [KW6]: Very informative! I did not know that.

process of many items uses less energy than starting the process with new materials. Jefferey

Morris, an environmental consultant, found that all together the recycling process uses less

energy than starting with virgin matter. "Even if you doubled the emissions from collecting

recyclables, it wouldn't come close," Morris says. (Hutchinson) If we recycle then we can slow
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down the rate of filling up landfills which saves space for other non-recyclable waste. Also, not

only do landfills look and smell ugly, they give off dangerous toxins, leachate and greenhouse

gasses contrary to beliefs that they do not, “83 percent of America’s solid waste landfills pose a

lifetime cancer risk of less than one in one million (about the same risk inherent in drinking a

glass of tap water).” (Taylor) They are still harmful to the environment because they can release

methane, a greenhouse gas which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. (KS

Environmental) Commented [KW7]: Wow! That isn’t good at all.

The environmental debate about recycling has been resolved and lawmakers understand

that it makes sense, but economically it is a different story. Some cities are reluctant to make

recycling mandatory because of the expense of it and because there is landfills available instead.

Making recycling mandatory requires a budget and a plan as well which is more of an effort than

just keeping it voluntary. Anyways, some U.S cities like San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and

Pittsburgh have already implemented mandatory recycling and others have met in the middle

where businesses must recycle but individuals do not have to. (Everson)

An article in the New York Times talks about counties where recycling had become

required and their reactions to it. ''At first, it seemed like it would be a big pain in the neck,'' said

Ed Marks of Mendham Borough, who has been recycling since last spring. ''But once you start

doing it, it's really very easy. I kind of like it. You're doing something worthwhile, and if you

accumulate a lot of recyclable material, you can feel proud about your garbage.'' (Raskin) The

residents in this county separate newspapers, glass and aluminum cans from the rest of their trash

and have it picked up once a month at the curb. ''Initially, people reacted lethargically,'' said

George Klenk, a D.E.P. spokesman. ''But since late September, there's been a tremendous surge.

People are realizing that recycling is going to save them money.'' (Raskin)
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Depending on the city, funding for recycling programs can come from taxes, garbage

collection fees, the sale of recyclable materials, or a combination of these sources. (Stephenson

2) We have to remember that there is more to recycle than bottles and ordinary day things as

well. Some state governments even require that a city has a recycling program, for example 11

states are required to deposit beverage cans and bottles while others have passed legislation for

electronic waste that require manufacturers to offer “take back” programs where customers can

return computers or other electronic products. The Department of Energy maintains a successful

program and in just 2016 they recycled 230 tons of waste, 20,000 square yards of carpet, 400

pounds of batteries and 3,000 toner cartridges. Since the beginning of its recycling program in

1991, the DOE has recycled over 7,500 tons of waste. By recycling, the department also saved

$13,800 alone in 2016 by not paying to have recycled trash hauled to a landfill site. (Brenner)

The United States government even recycles things like cardboard, office paper, newspapers,

bottles and glass. This proves that recycling is important to everyone, no matter how big or

small.

Nowadays, climate change is getting worse. Landfills cause the emission of greenhouse

gases and the levels are rising everyday. The UN reports that we have 12 years left to act on

climate change before we reach devastation and this proves that just recycling can help keep

waste from going to the landfills. At the end of the day, we have to think about the future

generations and how all of this impacts them. Young children do not know how to recycle and

why we need to but if we can for them, it will help them and their environment when they get

older and can help themselves. (KS Environmental) Commented [KW8]: This is some very good information.
12 years isn’t a long time, especially when it could lead to
devastation.
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Not only does pollution affect the land and the animals on land but affects our waters and Commented [KW9]: Very good picture to show your
audience a depiction of waste in the ocean.
all that inhabit them. Water that contains harmful pollutants not only affect oceans, rivers, lakes

and more, they also affect crops and even the air.

Figure 1 “What Lies Underneath” (Keller)

Water carried itself to crops and once all the toxins from the trash end up in those crops,

they end up on your table and we consume the unsafe product. The same goes for animals, they

will eat the unhealthy crops and it will affect their health and their meat. (Keller) If the water is

polluted, then so is the air because pollutants are released into the air and then come back down

to us as rain. This affects us, lakes, rivers, and forests. Due to this a lot of plants and trees die and

according to scientists, we are in a very delicate situation because we can lose a lot of plants and

animals important to our ozone. Furthermore, losing animals is one of the most dangerous effects

of pollution. “Cadmium and lead are harmful pollutants that are eaten by tiny animals which are

actually consumed by fish, therefore lots of fish die every year…..a recent study has shown that
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over 8,000 animals, including birds, fish and mammals have died worldwide after the water had

been infested with chemicals from trash.” (Keller) To add to that, animals are also affected by Commented [KW10]: Quotes more than four lines must be
separated from the paragraph, indented with no quotation
marks, and cited outside of the period.
the solid waste thrown into the water.

In conclusion, recycling should be mandatory for the sake of our environment and all that

lives in it, including us. Many people see recycling as a hassle when in reality is simple so

beneficial. When we cut back on waste we reduce global warming and help reserve some of our

natural resources. When we do this, then we won’t to have to destruct more habitats and we can

clear less of the forests which are home to our wildlife. If everyone recycles their trash, a huge

difference will be made on our world. Commented [KW11]: Very good closing argument.
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Works Cited

Brenner, Laurie. "How Can Recycling Help Prevent Pollution? | Sciencing." Sciencing | For All

Things Science - Biology, Chemistry, Physics. 7 May 2018. Web. 25 Oct 2018.

<http://sciencing.com/can-recycling-prevent-pollution-7455182.html>.

"Environmental benefits of recycling | KS Environmental." Commercial Waste Management | KS

Environmental. KS Enviromental , 26 Mar 2015. Web. 25 Oct 2018.

<http://ksenvironmental.com.au/environmental-benefits-of-recycling/>.

Everson, Michelle . "Mandate vs. Volunteer: What Works Better for Recycling? |

Earth911.com." Earth911.com - More Ideas, Less Waste. Earth911, 21 Sep 2009. Web.

25 Oct 2018. <http://earth911.com/inspire/getting-involved/mandate-vs-volunteer-what-

works-better-for-recycling/>.

Hutchinson, Alex. "Recycling Statistics - Is Recycling Worth It." Popular Mechanics - How

Your World Works. 12 Nov 2008. Web. 24 Oct 2018.

<http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a3752/4291566/>.

Keller, Jenny. "The Effects of Water Pollution on the Environment." Purify water , Purify the

World | safe-water.org. Safe Water, Web. 25 Oct 2018. <http://www.safe-water.org/the-

effects-of-water-pollution-on-the-environment/>.

Moss, Doug. "Should recycling be federally mandated?." Blue Ridge Outdoors | Outdoor

Adventure Magazine. 23 Nov 2010. Web. 25 Oct 2018.

<http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/go-outside/should-we-mandate-recycling/>.
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Raskin, David. "MANDATORY RECYCLING: HABIT-FORMING - The New York Times."

The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. New York Times, 20

Dec 1987. Web. 25 Oct 2018.

<http://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/20/nyregion/mandatory-recycling-habit-

forming.html>.

Schenker, Alex. "Why Is Recycling So Important? | Earth's Friends." Earth's Friends. Earth's

Friends, 1 Aug 2018. Web. 25 Oct 2018. <http://www.earthsfriends.com/why-recycling-

important/>.

Stephenson, John. "GAO-07-37, Recycling: Additional Efforts Could Increase Municipal

Recycling." U.S. Government Accountability Office (U.S. GAO). Dec 2006. Web. 24 Oct

2018. <http://www.gao.gov/assets/260/255075.html>.

Taylor, Jerry. "Recycling is Not the Answer | Cato Institute." Cato Institute | Individual Liberty,

Free Markets, and Peace. Cato Institute , 24 Feb 1992. Web. 25 Oct 2018.

<http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/recycling-is-not-answer>.

You bring out some very good points on the benefits of recycling. It is beneficial to the
environment. You did very good using your sources to provide facts for your argument. You
were very persuasive by providing information to the audience that will help them understand
why recycling is necessary and why it should be required. This was a very informative essay and I
enjoyed reading it.
95-100 Points 85-94 Points 75-84 Points 66-74 Points 0-65 Points
Excellent Good Satisfactory Minimal Poor/Unacceptable
Please see the rubric for your grade and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

English 1001 Final Research Argument Essay Rubric

Ideas__30___/30%

 Subject is appropriate: not “off-limits” or overly opinionated/emotional

 Thesis statement is well structured and presents a clear position
 Shows awareness of audience and potential counterarguments
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 Readers find your argument persuasive

Details__15___ /25%

 “Shows” rather than “tells” –specific evidence from sources supports your points
 Relies on a fair number of solid claims/reasons on your side
 Counterarguments are raised and addressed effectively if applicable
 Argument is original but supported by research
 Sources are used right away in the introduction

Organization___15___ /15%

 Argument builds from clear thesis at the beginning to persuasive ending with sources evident
 Essay stays focused on thesis until the end
 Introduction gets reader’s attention and makes him/her want to keep reading
 Paragraphs are focused and unified, with clear transitions between criteria.
 Counterarguments are logically placed and addressed
 Conclusion ties up loose ends and closes effectively

Style____15_/15%

 Interesting and correct word choice

 Good sentence variety
 Punctuation, grammar, and spelling are correct
 Writing is clear and concise
 Tone of language is objective, appropriate, and respectful – convincing to readers

Format____10__ /15%

 Uses MLA style manuscript form.

 All quotes, stats, opinions of others and little-known facts are cited with correct parenthetical citations.
 Works cited page contains complete publication data, in MLA format.

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Final Research Essay Final Draft Total points: ____85___/100