Interesting and Surprising Facts about Recycling
Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.
The average American uses 7 trees per year in paper and wood products.
Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes.
The world’s recycling rate for aluminum cans is 69%, making it the most recycled packaging material.
Every ton of recycled paper saves around 17 trees.
Recycling one ton of plastic bottles saves the equivalent energy usage of a two-person household for one year.
In just three months, recycling one ton of paper saves enough energy to heat a home for a whole year.
Approximately 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.
Recycling paper instead of making it from new materials uses 74% less energy.
It takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than to produce it from raw materials.
Recycling one ton of cardboard saves over 9 cubic yards of landfill space.
An estimated 80,000,000 Hershey’s Kisses are wrapped each day, using enough aluminum foil to cover over 50 acres of space – all of which is recyclable!
The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle can power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.
Americans use around 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour, most of which end up in landfills.
Recycling one ton of plastic bottles saves 3.8 barrels of oil.
Recycling one plastic bottle can save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for six hours.
Interesting and Surprising Facts about Recycling part 2
The average American produces around 4.4 pounds of trash every day, but only about 1.5 pounds are recycled.
Recycling one ton of steel saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal, and 120 pounds of limestone.
A recycled plastic bottle can be turned into a new one within 30 days.
Recycling plastic instead of making it from new materials saves 90% of the energy required.
The cost of producing new aluminum is five times more expensive than making recycled aluminum.
Recycling reduces the need for new landfills and incinerators, which can produce harmful greenhouse gases.
Making paper from recycled materials saves 64% more energy than making it from virgin materials.
Recycling one ton of cardboard saves 9 cubic yards of landfill space.
Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 380 gallons of oil.
Aluminum cans can be recycled and turned into new cans and back on store shelves within 60 days.
Recycling one ton of plastic saves the equivalent energy usage of a person driving a car for 1,000 miles.
The average American uses about 40 pounds of plastic every year, but only about 8% is recycled.
Recycling plastic bottles can save enough energy to power a car for 6 miles.
The production of glass from recycled materials generates 20% less air pollution and 50% less water pollution.
Recycling one ton of plastic can save up to 2,000 gallons of gasoline.
Using recycled glass instead of making it from new materials saves 50% energy.
Recycling paper instead of making it from new materials saves 70% more energy.
The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle can power a computer for 30 minutes.
Recycling one ton of mixed paper can save 17 trees, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, and 7,000 gallons of water.
The production of recycled paper uses 40% less energy than making it from virgin materials.
For every 100 tons of glass recycled, around 1,300 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions are avoided.
Recycling one ton of aluminum saves the equivalent energy usage of a person powering a home for 10 years.
Paper can be recycled up to seven times before it becomes too weak to use.
Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.
The estimated energy savings from recycling one plastic bottle can charge a smartphone for 480 hours.
Recycling one ton of plastic can save up to 16.3 barrels of oil.
The energy saved from recycling one ton of cardboard can power an average home for 30 days.
Americans throw away enough aluminum every three months to rebuild the U.S. commercial air fleet.
The process of recycling glass produces 20% less air pollution and 50% less water pollution compared to producing it from virgin materials.