What does recycling primarily help to conserve?

Recycling primarily helps to conserve natural resources by reducing the need for new raw materials to be extracted from the environment. When materials such as paper, glass, metals, and plastics are recycled, they can be reprocessed into new products, which diminishes the demand for the extraction of resources like timber, ore, and fossil fuels. This process not only conserves these finite resources but also helps to reduce the energy consumption and environmental impact associated with mining, logging, and manufacturing new materials.

In the context of the other options, while recycling can have positive effects on land space, water quality, and air quality, its primary role is in the conservation of natural resources. For instance, reducing landfill waste through recycling can help conserve land space, but the direct connection to natural resources is more significant in terms of sustainable practices. Similarly, recycling can indirectly contribute to cleaner air and water, but these are more secondary benefits compared to the direct impact on conserving natural resources.