Recycling leads to a more rational use of the natural resources, which have their life cycle duly prolonged. By recycling paper, for instance, we decrease the necessity of cutting more trees. Metal recycling reduces the extraction activity and the industrial processes that increase the greenhouse gas emission (carbon dioxide, methane and others), which, by its turn, causes the global warmth.

Besides that, recycling gives work opportunities and some income to the lowest classes of the population that had less access to education. In Brazil, one of the most recycled items is the aluminum can, used for drinks. According to the Brazilian Association of Highly Recyclable Cans (Abralatas) Brazil is presently the global leader in aluminum can recycling; that represents 96.2% of the production.

Certain types of pollution are more visible than others, as well as their effect on people. Air pollution is not only recognizable via the color changes in the skies above cities or in the rivers and lakes. Global pollution has contributed to a devastating number of respiratory diseases. Then there is the pollution caused by technological scraps that are being put into open dumps. The hazards associated with tech dumping are still relatively unknown but they are undoubtedly a menace to mankind. Besides that, there is the pollution caused by technological products scrap, disposed in open dumps, its effects being equally or even more hazardous than the others, although they are not well known. Discarded computers, batteries and mobile phones, for instance, have toxic substances that, if disposed on the soil, on ground water and rivers, they can contaminate the water and the food consumed by the population. Among these elements we find mercury, cadmium, lead, lithium, nickel, zinc, cobalt, and manganese dioxide compounds. These chemical substances, if accumulated in the body, can cause serious diseases, therefore, there is an increasing necessity to either recycle the materials or at least do their disposal in the correct way. Here are some of the disorders caused by these substances: Mercury – kidney and neurological disorders (irritability, shyness, lack of memory), genetic mutation, metabolic alterations and sensorial organs´ deficiencies (tremor, visual and hearing distortions). Cadmium – cancerigenic agent, it causes damages to the nervous system. It is accumulated mainly in the kidneys, liver and bones; it causes rheumatic pains and myalgia, metabolic dysfunctions that lead to osteoporosis, kidney malfunction and cancer. Lead – Lack of memory, headaches, irritability, muscular trembling, slow thinking, hallucination, anemia, depression, insomnia, paralysis, salivation, nausea, vomits, colic; loss of muscular tonus, atrophy and visual problems, besides hyperactivity. Lithium – It affects the central nervous system, generating turbid sight, sonitus, debilities and tremor. Nickel – It causes dermatitis, respiratory disturbance, gingivitis, a metallic taste, carcinogenic effects, cirrhosis, and kidney malfunction. Zinc – It causes vomits and diarrhea. Cobalt and its components – Present in lithium battery, they cause asthma, bronchitis and conjunctivitis. Manganese dioxide – Used in alkaline cells, it causes anemia, abdominal pain, vomits, nervous breakdown, headaches, seborrhea, impotence, hand tremor, emotional disturbance.