Ejercicio Option B - Exercise B.2 · Inglés PAU Aragón Ordinaria 2024

OPTION B

RECYCLING AND THE HEALTH OF THE PLANET

Are you into recycling? Which bin should the used Tetra Pak cartons go to? Any idea? Whether you can answer this question or not, you probably know that recycling plays a crucial role in promoting the health of the planet by reducing the environmental impact of waste and conserving valuable resources. By reusing materials such as paper, glass, metal, and plastic, recycling helps conserve forests and reduce energy consumption.

Manufacturing products from recycled materials generally requires less energy than producing items from virgin materials. This energy saving contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and lowers the overall environmental footprint associated with industrial processes. The production of new materials often involves the use of toxic chemicals, so recycling helps minimize the release of pollutants into the air, water, and soil, thereby reducing pollution. The way we manage our waste also needs to account for new waste sources. For example, as the number of electric vehicles grows in Europe, how will we recycle their batteries? Products need to be designed in a way to allow the recycling and reusing of their components.

Finally, the recycling industry creates jobs in collection, processing, and manufacturing. This economic activity contributes to local and national economies, supporting livelihoods and fostering sustainable development. It is also important to encourage individuals and communities to participate in recycling programs as a way of providing them with more sustainable lifestyles.

In summary, recycling contributes significantly to the health of the planet by conserving resources, reducing energy consumption, minimizing pollution, and promoting a more sustainable and circular approach to material use.

EXERCISE B.2: Answer the following questions according to the information given in the text. Use your own words. (2 points)

a)

What are the main jobs associated with recycling?

b)

How does recycling reduce greenhouse gas emissions?