Which of the following is a benefit of recycling?

Recycling offers numerous benefits, one of the most significant being the conservation of natural resources. When materials such as paper, metals, and plastics are recycled, they can be reprocessed and transformed into new products, thus reducing the need to extract and harvest raw materials from the environment. This conservation helps to preserve ecosystems and reduce habitat destruction caused by resource extraction activities.

Moreover, recycling can lead to a decrease in the energy consumption associated with producing new products from virgin materials, as recycling processes often require less energy than the extraction and processing of raw resources. This reduction in energy use contributes to lower emissions of greenhouse gases, further supporting environmental sustainability.

In contrast, the other options highlight negative outcomes associated with waste management, reinforcing the importance of recycling as a proactive solution to conserve resources and minimize environmental impact.