Facts About Recycling

Aluminum Cans:

In 1995, 2 billion pounds of aluminum cans were diverted from landfills.
More than 50% of a new aluminum can is made from recycled aluminum.
Recycling one aluminum can saves the equivalent of enough energy to run a television set for three hours.
Aluminum can be recycled and reused indefinitely without a decline in material performance or quality.

Steel "Tin" Cans:

About 566 steel cans are recycled every second.
Every day, Americans use more than 100 million steel cans.
Recycling steel cans saves 74 percent of the energy that would be used to produce from virgin materials.

Glass:

Glass is 100 percent recyclable in a true closed-loop system; there are no waste by-products.
Every glass bottle that is recycled can save enough energy to light a 100-watt lightbulb for four hours.
By recycling one ton of glass, we save the energy equivalent of nine gallons of fuel oil.

Plastic:

Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour.
Five recycled soft drink bottles will make enough fiberfill for a man's ski jacket.
1,050 recycled milk jugs can be made inot a six-foot park bench.
The United States makes enough plastic film each year to shrink-wrap the state of Texas.
If only 10% of Americans bought products with less plastic packaging only 10% of the time, approximately 144 million punds of plastic could be eliminated from our landfills.

Paper:

As of 1994, more paper was being recovered than was sent to the landfills.
One year's worth of the New York Times weighs 520 pounds.
Every day, U.S. businesses generate enough paper to encircle the Earth 20 times.
Every ton of paper recycled saves about 17 trees.

There is a very simple thing that you can do right now to positively impact
the environment - Use Less Stuff!!

At least 20 percent of solid waste generated by Texans comes from grass clippings, leaves, and other landscape wastes. (Texas Agricultural Extension Service)
In 1970, over 20,000 landfills were in operation in the United States; by 1993, only 4,000 were open. (EPA)
Texans spend over $1 billion annually for solid waste disposal services for over 22 million tons of garbage.
In 1960, Americans disposed of 2.7 pounds of waste per person per day. By 1990, the number had risen to 4.3 pounds per person per day. (EPA) Reusing items whenever possible will cut down the amount of waste you generate.
Workplace waste from the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors, which include schools, comprises 30 to 45% of municipal solid waste. (EPA)
Recycling is good for the economy. A study by the Southern States Waste Management Coalition found that the recycling industry in Texas employs 20,000 workers and adds $2.9 billion in value to the Texas Economy.

Source: "Recycling in America: A Reference Handbook". Debra
L. Strong. Published in 1997 by Contemporary World Issues.

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	Facts About Recycling Aluminum Cans: In 1995, 2 billion pounds of aluminum cans were diverted from landfills. More than 50% of a new aluminum can is made from recycled aluminum. Recycling one aluminum can saves the equivalent of enough energy to run a television set for three hours. Aluminum can be recycled and reused indefinitely without a decline in material performance or quality. Steel "Tin" Cans: About 566 steel cans are recycled every second. Every day, Americans use more than 100 million steel cans. Recycling steel cans saves 74 percent of the energy that would be used to produce from virgin materials. Glass: Glass is 100 percent recyclable in a true closed-loop system; there are no waste by-products. Every glass bottle that is recycled can save enough energy to light a 100-watt lightbulb for four hours. By recycling one ton of glass, we save the energy equivalent of nine gallons of fuel oil. Plastic: Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour. Five recycled soft drink bottles will make enough fiberfill for a man's ski jacket. 1,050 recycled milk jugs can be made inot a six-foot park bench. The United States makes enough plastic film each year to shrink-wrap the state of Texas. If only 10% of Americans bought products with less plastic packaging only 10% of the time, approximately 144 million punds of plastic could be eliminated from our landfills. Paper: As of 1994, more paper was being recovered than was sent to the landfills. One year's worth of the New York Times weighs 520 pounds. Every day, U.S. businesses generate enough paper to encircle the Earth 20 times. Every ton of paper recycled saves about 17 trees. There is a very simple thing that you can do right now to positively impact the environment - Use Less Stuff!! At least 20 percent of solid waste generated by Texans comes from grass clippings, leaves, and other landscape wastes. (Texas Agricultural Extension Service) In 1970, over 20,000 landfills were in operation in the United States; by 1993, only 4,000 were open. (EPA) Texans spend over $1 billion annually for solid waste disposal services for over 22 million tons of garbage. In 1960, Americans disposed of 2.7 pounds of waste per person per day. By 1990, the number had risen to 4.3 pounds per person per day. (EPA) Reusing items whenever possible will cut down the amount of waste you generate. Workplace waste from the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors, which include schools, comprises 30 to 45% of municipal solid waste. (EPA) Recycling is good for the economy. A study by the Southern States Waste Management Coalition found that the recycling industry in Texas employs 20,000 workers and adds $2.9 billion in value to the Texas Economy. Source: "Recycling in America: A Reference Handbook". Debra L. Strong. Published in 1997 by Contemporary World Issues.

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Facts About Recycling