Recycling

Recycling is the third R of the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Recycling means taking a product or material at the end of its useful life and turning it into a usable raw material to make another product. This section of our site provides information about how to recycle, why to recycle and what you can recycle. And of course the Earth 911 green recycling locator box above can help you find where you can recycle. Just type in what you want to recycle on the top and where on the bottom by entering your zip code or city and state.

Recycling Facts & Figures

• In 1999, recycling and composting activities prevented about 64 million tons of material from ending up in landfills and incinerators. Today, this country recycles 32 percent of its waste, a rate that has almost doubled during the past 15 years.

• While recycling has grown in general, recycling of specific materials has grown even more drastically: 50 percent of all paper, 34 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles, 45 percent of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans, 63 percent of all steel packaging, and 67 percent of all major appliances are now recycled.

• Twenty years ago, only one curbside recycling program existed in the United States, which collected several materials at the curb. By 2005, almost 9,000 curbside programs had sprouted up across the nation. As of 2005, about 500 materials recovery facilities had been established to process the collected materials.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Facts About Aluminum Recycling

• Over 50 percent of the aluminum cans produced are recycled.

• A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf as a new can, in as little as 60 days. That’s closed loop recycling at its finest!

• Aluminum is a durable and sustainable metal: 2/3 of the aluminum ever produced is in use today.

• Every minute of everyday, an average of 113,204 aluminum cans are recycled.

• Making new aluminum cans from used cans takes 95 percent less energy and 20 recycled cans can be made with the energy needed to produce one can using virgin ore.

• Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to keep a 100-watt bulb burning for almost four hours or run your television for three hours.

• Last year 54 billion cans were recycled saving energy equivalent to 15 million barrels of crude oil - America’s entire gas consumption for one day.

Green Shopping Tips

A family of four can save thousands of dollars a year simply by buying products in the largest size they can use and by buying long lasting reusable items. Think about the effect of your purchases on the environment when you shop. Items with excess packaging and products that need to be discarded after only a few uses cost more money, use up valuable resources and create more waste.

Buy Products in the Largest Size You Can Use; Avoid Excess Packaging

A family of four can save $2,000 a year in the supermarket by choosing large sizes instead of individual serving sizes. Remember, 10 cents of every shopping dollar is used to pay for packaging. Small sizes use more packaging for each ounce of product than larger sizes. So, if you buy large sizes, you save money, reduce waste, and help the environment. That is a really good buy. Here are a few good examples; look for others the next time you shop.

• Buy cereal in a large box instead of in individual serving sizes.

• Buy juice in concentrates and use reuseable containers instead of single serving packages.

• Save money by buying bottled water in a large plastic jug instead of six packs of 16 ounce bottles.

• Buy large packages of sugar and flour.

• Avoid the small boxes of raisins and buy the same amount in the 24 ounce box.

Buy Reusable and Long Lasting Items

Products that can be reused are cheaper in the long run than those you throw away and buy over and over again. Goods that are designed to last a long time are also cheaper in the long run than those that wear out quickly. A family can save $1,000 each year buy buying reusable and long lasting products.

• Use rechargeable batteries in toys, flashlights and radios. You can save $200 a year by using rechargeable batteries instead of disposables in one CD player used two hours a day.

• Use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers. You’ll save $600 per child by using a laundry diaper service instead of disposable diapers.

• Use a real camera instead of disposable ones. If you take 24 pictures each month you will save $144 each year.

• Many families spend over $260 each year on paper towels and napkins. Switch to cloth napkins, sponges, and cloth towels or wipes.

• Use washable plates, cups, and silverware for parties and picnics instead of disposable products.

• Use an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors.

• Buy high quality/long life tires. They cost less per mile traveled and reduce the problem of disposing of used tires.

• Use a washable commuter mug for your morning coffee and eliminate a Styrofoam or plastic cup every day.

• Bring bags to the market, either cloth ones or your old paper and plastic ones. Many markets will credit your bill for using your own bags. When buying only a few items, don’t take a bag.

• Buy products in containers that you know you will be able to recycle.