Effect of recycling on ozone layer

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Effect of recycling on ozone layer

Name: Lesley Hodges
Status: Other
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A

Question:

My science teacher is always trying to emphasize the importance of recycling. At the current rate that society recycles, how much longer will the ozone layer survive?

Replies:

This is a difficult question to understand. First, we do not know if the ozone layer is going to disappear. It has certainly attained larger size holes over the last twenty years or so but this is not known to be a permanent trend. Second, though man-made chemicals have been shown to have the potential for causing damage to the ozone layer it is not known that these are the major cause for changes in the waxing and waning of the ozone hole. Lastly, some recycling processes may in fact produce more potentially damaging agents than not. It is most important to do all that one can to recycle. Many parts of the country do not and this can have the effect of lowering demand for "garbage" as a raw material further limiting our ability to reuse waste and to invent new uses. Wear your sunscreen! And have Fun!

Michael B Lomonaco

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Update: June 2012