The next best option after reuse is recycling, as it avoids the water and air pollution associated with extracting raw materials and less energy is needed to make new products from recycled materials compared to creating a product from raw materials. For example, it requires 70% less energy to recycle paper compared with making it from virgin raw materials and recycling an aluminium can saves around 95% of the energy needed to make a new one from raw materials.
3. Why is it better to recycle than to buy new products?
When it comes to recycling, Ireland is below the EU average. According to the European Environment Agency, Ireland’s recycling rate is 36%, compared with the EU average of 39% and way behind Europe’s champion recyclers, Austria and Germany, which boast rates of 63% and 62%, respectively…
4. Rank the three EU countries mentioned in order of their recycling rates, highest to lowest.
The Generation Awake campaign looks at a number of areas in which we are not living as lightly as we could and offers ways that we can reduce our impact on the environment. The campaign suggests that by being informed about the consequences of our choices and making smart day-to-day decisions that consider the environment, we can make a more sustainable world for ourselves and our children.
5. The Generation Awake campaign is aimed at 25 to 40 year olds, with a focus on families with young children. Why do you think this group is being targeted?
