Model Essay 2

Model Essay #2

Model Persuasive / Argumentative Essay

Topic Prompt: Should recycling be mandatory?

Title: Recycling Renewed

According to Chief Seattle, an Indian who lived in the western part of North America in the 1800s, “Man does not weave this web of life. He is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.” This statement illustrates the importance of taking care of the earth, not merely to avoid global warming, but to preserve the natural balance of the planet. Some of the most pressing problems are the destruction of natural habitats, the depletion of natural resources, and the polluting of rivers, lakes, and oceans. One idea now debated is whether or not the government should require communities to participate in recycling programs. Although some argue that individual communities are free to choose if they take part, many people believe that due to the interconnectedness of the planet, governments have an obligation to encourage and require communities to participate in the recycling effort.

Some overly optimistic people contend that natural resources are for the most part replaceable, such as trees, or too abundant to worry about, such as oil. However, the fact is that currently trees are being cut down faster than it is possible to repopulate the forests. Furthermore, water is a finite resource that is polluted from oil refining and the creation of many modern products, for example plastic. In fact water shortages and water pollution are both problems affecting most every country around the world. Certainly, without clean, fresh water, life would not be possible.

Some people assert that it is too difficult or complicated for citizens to recycle. However, logistically recycling requires only a separate trash bin for tossing in plastic, glass, aluminum and steel products. Newspaper, cardboard and office paper can be collected in another box. Once set up, recycling is as easy as throwing away materials in one trash can. The communities set up collection to coincide with the trash pick up days, so it can be as easy as when not recycling. Once people realize the importance and ease of recycling, they get involved and change their trash habits. In fact, community members feel a sense of pride when contributing to the betterment of the world.

A few naysayers have argued that products will be recycled naturally by the earth over time. Even though recycling does happen naturally over time, some products never do, such as batteries. Also, with the tremendous rise in global population and use of natural resources, humans have to effectively combat these increases by recycling goods. In addition, recycling saves not only the resources that go into creating products but also landfill space when the products are tossed out. Some of the chemicals and materials that are put into the ocean are poisoning the fish, for example. Since fish are part of the human food chain, people are further poisoning themselves by eating polluted food.

Recycling is only a part of the solution, but it is an easy and important first step to fight pollution. Recycling aids in maintaining limited resources and is not too difficult to implement. People are happy to lend a hand in the deceleration of the global warming process. Overall, recycling supports the earth and supports life. Chief Seattle said the world is interconnected, so taking care of the earth is like taking care of our home.