Recycling Facts & Figures

Each person in the United States produces over 4 lbs. of trash a day but only recycles 10 percent of it. Americans throw away 2 million plastic bottles from beverages every day as well. During the holidays, 4 million tons of trash is produced--just from wrapping paper. Learning these facts and figures about recycling may help you change your habits.

Aluminum

In the United States, 1,500 aluminum cans are recycled every second. It takes 90 percent less energy to recycle those cans into new ones than it would take to produce a new one from scratch.

Lead

More than half of the lead supply in the world comes from recycled batteries.

Paper

In 1996, each person in the United States recycled approximately 330 lbs. of paper. For each 2,000 lbs. of paper recycled, 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water was saved.

Plastic

Destroying plastic in an incinerator uses twice as much energy as recycling it would save.

Glass

Glass bottles in use today will take over 4,000 years to decompose if they are not recycled.

Compost

Each American throws away almost 1,200 lbs. of garbage that they could have composted.

Fun Fact

Ohio's highest point is Mount Rumpke--a pile of trash in a landfill.

Resources

• Clean Air Council
• EPA
• USA.gov-- Conservation and Recycling