Recycling Facts - U.S. Economy

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Overall, Americans recovered 34% of waste generated in 2011. In 2010, Americans generated about 250 million tons of trash and recycled and composted over 85 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 34.1 percent recycling rate. On average, we recycled and composted 1.51 pounds out of our individual waste generation of 4.43 pounds per person per day.
Overall, Americans recovered 34% of waste generated in 2011. In 2010, Americans generated about 250 million tons of trash and recycled and composted over 85 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 34.1 percent recycling rate. On average, we recycled and composted 1.51 pounds out of our individual waste generation of 4.43 pounds per person per day.
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In 2009, Americans recycled 82 million tons of materials. The resulting CO2 emission reduction is equivalent to taking 33 million passenger vehicles off the road. The recyclable materials in the U.S. waste stream would generate over $7 billion if they were recycled. That’s equivalent to Donald Trump’s net worth.
In 2009, Americans recycled 82 million tons of materials. The resulting CO2 emission reduction is equivalent to taking 33 million passenger vehicles off the road. The recyclable materials in the U.S. waste stream would generate over $7 billion if they were recycled. That’s equivalent to Donald Trump’s net worth.
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The amount of wood we throw away each year is enough to heat 50,000,000 homes for 20 years. 1,121,84 employees in collections, processing, manufacturing and remanufacturing , generating an annual payroll of 37 billion dollars!
The amount of wood we throw away each year is enough to heat 50,000,000 homes for 20 years. 1,121,84 employees in collections, processing, manufacturing and remanufacturing , generating an annual payroll of 37 billion dollars!
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Recent independent research shows there is enough material to meet domestic manufacturers’ demand for recycled materials for the foreseeable future.

Recent independent research shows there is enough material to meet domestic manufacturers’ demand for recycled materials for the foreseeable future.

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250 million metric tons of scrap materials recycled annually including:

82

Million Tons of Iron and Steel

5

Million Tons of Aluminum

2

Million Tons of Copper

2

Million Tons of Stainless Steel

1

Million Tons of Lead

420

Thousand Tons of Zinc

45

Million Pounds of Plastic Bottles

2

Million Tons of Electronics

285

Million Tires

Recycling Facts - Global Trade

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Scrap has been an important export commodity from the US for more than a century.
Scrap has been an important export commodity from the US for more than a century.
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Recent independent research shows there is enough material to meet domestic manufacturers’ demand for recycled materials for the foreseeable future.
Recent independent research shows there is enough material to meet domestic manufacturers’ demand for recycled materials for the foreseeable future.
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Scrap exported to 152 countries. Leading export destinations include: China, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Germany, Taiwan, Turkey, Japan, United Kingdom, India
Scrap exported to 152 countries. Leading export destinations include: China, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Germany, Taiwan, Turkey, Japan, United Kingdom, India
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In 2007 $21.7 billion worth of scrap commodities exported, helping U.S. trade balances. 38 million metric tons of scrap were exported including:

18

Million Tons of Paper

15

Million Tons of Iron & Steel

1

Million Tons of Aluminum

955

Thousand Tons of Nickel & Stainless

906

Thousand Tons of Copper

472

Thousand Pounds of Plastic Bottles

129

Thousand Tons of Lead

102

Thousand Tons of Zinc

60

Thousand Tons of Rubber

Recycling Facts - Our Environment

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Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by requiring significantly less energy to manufacture products from recyclables than virgin ore and by avoiding landfilling.
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by requiring significantly less energy to manufacture products from recyclables than virgin ore and by avoiding landfilling.
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Conserves natural resources. Recycling one ton of:

Paper saves 17 trees, 79 gallons of oil, 7000 gallons of water, and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill.
Steel conserves 2500 lbs. of iron ore, 1400 lbs. of coal and 120 lbs. of limestone.
Conserves natural resources. Recycling one ton of:

Paper saves 17 trees, 79 gallons of oil, 7000 gallons of water, and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill.
Steel conserves 2500 lbs. of iron ore, 1400 lbs. of coal and 120 lbs. of limestone.
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Cleaner air and water from safely removing potentially hazardous materials and keeping them out of landfills such as:

Mercury switches removed from older automobiles.

Lead recovered from computer monitors.

Various harmful chemicals safely recycled from electronics.
Cleaner air and water from safely removing potentially hazardous materials and keeping them out of landfills such as:

Mercury switches removed from older automobiles.

Lead recovered from computer monitors.

Various harmful chemicals safely recycled from electronics.
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Energy saved using recycled materials vs. virgin ore:

95

% for Aluminum

85

% for Copper

80

% for Plastic

74

% for Iron & Steel

64

% for Paper

Resources

Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. – www.isri.org

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