- It requires only five percent as much energy when a can is made of recycled aluminum as compared to a virgin one. (sourced from uaaco.org)
- The average aluminum can in the U.S. is comprised of 40 percent post-consumer recycled aluminum. (sourced from uaaco.org)
- More wood grows in our nation’s forests than is harvested (about 49 percent more), documenting wood fiber as a renewable source. (source: USFS, Resources of the United States)
- The U.S. forest inventory has increased by 39 percent since 1962. The U.S. population has nearly doubled in that time. (source: USFS, Forest Resources of the United States)
- Americans are recycling 360 pounds of paper per person annually, up from 233 pounds per person in 1990 (source: International Paper)
- According to the National Recycling Coalition, the top ten items to recycle are aluminum, PET plastic bottles, newspaper, corrugated cardboard, steel cans, HDPE plastic bottles, glass containers, magazines, mixed paper and computers. (sourced from nrc-recycle.org)
- To produce one week of Sunday papers, 500,000 trees must be harvested. (sourced from recycling-revolution.com)
A QUICK LESSON IN RECYCLING
Not all plastic, cardboard and paper is recyclable. To learn what you can recycle in your community, contact your local recycling, environment or public works departments.
Generally, the following items can be recycled in most areas:
• Unbroken glass containers
• Newspapers
• Paper including magazines
• Empty metal cans, lids, etc.
• Plastic bottles stamp with PET or HDPE
• Grocery bags
• Clear plastic bags