There are both direct and indirect benefits to recycling. 

The direct benefits are the reduction in use of raw materials. Manufacture of metals, plastics, glass etc.. uses massive amounts of energy and natural resources, so the more we can use recycled goods, the less energy we need to use. 

The indirect benefits come from the ability of waste reduction schemes to help encourage other “green” technologies and programs.

Given the serious environmental and political ramifications of our reliance upon fossil fuels, anything that helps encourage the use of alternative energy sources such as  wind, solar, tidal, geothermal and hydro power is a massive benefit to society.

The connection between recycling and alternative energy, aside from both being “green” solutions to waste and pollution problems, is political as well as personal. For instance, someone who is motivated to be passionate about recycling is likely to be an advocate of carbon-neutral power. 

This is also true for governments as well as individuals.  There are even technologies that can actually produced bio-fuel from previously landfilled materials such as plastic and organic-waste derived methane.