Recycling 101

RECYCLING 101 250 MILLION TONS OF The average American generates 4.4 pounds of trash per day, adding to the grand total of about 250 million tons of trash the United States accumulates per year. 4.4 LBS/DAY 68% 100% The average aluminum can in North America contains 68% recycled content. Products such as structural sections and bridge spans use virtually 100% recycled steel. 20% A pair of blue jeans can be made with 20% post consumer recycled plastic, or an average of 8 plastic bottles. 30 DAYS A glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as few as 30 days without any loss in purity or quality. 59,138 FIELDS If Americans recycled all paper produced in the U.S. in 2011, it would cover 59,138 football fields in paper three feet deep. 1 MILLION 35,000 POUNDS 772 POUNDS 75 POUNDS 33 POUNDS COPPER SILVER GOLD PALLADIUM $265,311 The total value of the metal recovered from one million recycled cell phones is $265,311, which equates to 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium. ELECTRONICS Permanent value PAPER Quantity GLASS Purity PLASTIC Endless possibilities ALUMINUM and STEEL Infinitely rec y recyclable GENERAL RECYCLING 101