Thank you for purchasing the following enhanced e-book —another quality product from

 ______________________________________
Daily 
Warm-Up
8
Nonfiction: Current Events
Is Recycling Worth It?
Some people claim recycling is the best way to conserve 
our raw natural resources. They believe that reducing 
waste will, in turn, reduce the amount of landfill space 
required. We primarily recycle plastic, glass, paper, and 
metal. It is said that recycling saves money, landfill 
space, and helps the environment. On the other hand, 
many people wonder if recycling is worth the effort.
One factor to consider regarding recycling is the cost.
Those who argue against it wonder if it is cheaper to 
create more landfill space and bury the recyclables.
It takes a lot of energy to recycle. The energy used 
in recycling processes can be both expensive and 
damaging to the environment by producing harmful 
greenhouse gas emissions.
Another cost factor is curbside recycling. It costs 
money and requires transportation. Vehicles create 
pollution. However, over the past few decades, the 
process has been streamlined. Now, in many cities, 
the process is less expensive.
Others argue that it depends on how many recyclables 
make it to the recycle stations. If more recyclables are 
on hand, it is more cost-efficient to sort and recycle the 
items into reusable materials. For example, plastics are 
coded based on their type. Often different types of 
plastics cannot be recycled together. Until recently, 
separating them by hand was very time-consuming and 
expensive. Now, plastics are cleaned and used together 
to make new types of products.
Another issue is the demand for recycled items. If the 
demand is low, the recyclables sit and begin to decay.
The good news is that through new technology and new 
products, the demand for recycled material and items is 
on the rise. This makes recyclables more valuable and 
cost-effective to produce.
Inefficiencies and legitimate questions regarding 
recycling remain, but the processes have improved to 
the point that the cost-effectiveness has become clear.
Recycling is better for the environment than producing 
from new, raw materials.
Text Questions
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 
 1 . Which of the following is not a factor to consider regarding recycling?
a. cost of producing recycled products
b. amount of recyclable material on hand
c. demand for recycled products
d. the effort to put scratch paper in the recycle bin
 2 . Based on the passage, what can you infer happens to items that are not recycled?
a. They are burned.
b. They go to a landfill.
c. They are left at the curb.
d. They sit and remain in their present form.
 3 . In the fourth paragraph, what does it mean to say something is cost-efficient?
a. It produces an end result.
b. It works well.
c. It uses a minimum of expense.
d. It produces the desired effect.
 4 . How would you summarize the author’s opinion in this passage?
a. There are costs associated with recycling, but improvements in the process make it worth the effort.
b. Recycling is too inefficient and doesn’t do any good.
c. It is too expensive to recycle, and we should put things in existing landfills.
d. Plastics should always be sorted carefully.
 5 . What are some of the benefits of recycling? Explain how you know.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
#3658 Daily Warm-Ups: Reading 
78 
©Teacher Created Resources

---

Name