How does not recycling cause serious harms to people, property, institutions, nature, etc?

Answer 1

To answer this would take too long in full factual breakdown and scientific proof. That being said I will try to summarize as best as possible. We have a limited amount of land. We have a limited amount of drinking water. If we do not conserve our resources we will run out. Recycling helps us conserve our resources.
For a more complete data and evidence explanation got to the EPA : http://www.epa.gov/