Question

Many beverage companies are required to

recycle bottles and cans because this activity
directly reduces
(1) air pollution and destruction of the ozone
shield
(2) overpopulation and soil erosion
(3) solid waste and depletion of resources
(4) thermal pollution and extinction of wildlife

Answer 1

(3) solid waste and depletion of resources is probably the most direct answer, although (1) air pollution and destruction of the ozone shield is not an answer to be ignored, since less production of these cans and bottles would mean less pollution released to the atmosphere.