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The Power of Recycling

Published September 7, 2018

Recycling is an easy and effective way to help our planet. Learn more about the benefits of recycling and become a waste wizard today.

If you've ever seen a landfill, it shouldn't come as a surprise that humans make a huge amount of garbage. Sadly, the problem seems to only be getting worse:

  • An increasing world population means more people than ever are producing garbage.
  • Production costs are decreasing and overall wealth is increasing. This means that more people can buy things, which leads to more trash.
  • The average American throws out 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs) of garbage every day

The more we recycle, the less ends up in landfills, incinerators, and worse places, like our oceans. Because of this, recycling is among the best ways to make a positive impact on our world.

When an item is recycled, its natural resources (say, the aluminum in a drinking can) are used to their fullest potential. In fact, recycling 1000 kg (2204.6 lbs) of each of the following...

Office Paper

  • Saves approximately 17 trees.
  • Saves approximately 317 L (84 gal) of oil.
  • Saves approximately 4100 kWh of energy, which is equivalent to powering 13 households for one day or 164,000 AA batteries.
  • Saves approximately 26,500 L (7,000 gal) of water.

Newspaper

  • Saves approximately 4 trees.
  • Saves approximately 191 L (50 gal) of oil.
  • Saves approximately 3800 kWh of energy, which is equivalent to powering 12 households for one day or 152,000 AA batteries.
  • Saves approximately 22,700 L (6,000 gal) of water.

Plastic

  • Saves approximately 6 barrels (954 L or 252 gal) of oil.
  • Saves approximately 5800 kWh of energy, which is equivalent to powering 18 households for one day or 232,000 AA batteries.
  • Saves approximately 31,000 L (8,200 gal) of water.

Glass

  • Saves approximately 1400 kWh of energy, which is equivalent to powering 4.5 households for one day or 56,000 AA batteries.
  • Saves approximately 760 L (200 gal) of water.

Aluminum

  • Saves approximately 7.5 barrels (1192 L or 315 gal) of oil.
  • Saves approximately 16,000 kWh of energy, which is equivalent to powering 51 households for one day or 640,000 AA batteries.
  • Saves approximately 9,100 L (2,400 gal) of water.

Steel

  • Saves approximately 1.5 barrels (238 L or 63 gal) of oil.
  • Saves approximately 4000 kWh of energy, which is equivalent to powering 13 households for one day or 520,000 AA batteries.
  • Saves approximately 11,300 L (3,000 gal) of water.

So next time you have the opportunity to recycle, remember that you're not only giving natural resources a second life, but also saving trees, oil, and water and greatly reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Always remember to to recycle whenever possible, and encourage others to do the same!

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