Why should your company recycle?
- Good For Our EconomyAmerican companies rely on recycling programs to provide the raw materials they need to make new products.
- Creates JobsRecycling in the U.S. is a $236 billion a year industry. More than 56,000 recycling and reuse enterprises employ 1.1 million workers nationwide.
- Reduces WasteThe average American discards seven and a half pounds of garbage every day. Most of the garbage goes into landfills, where it's compacted and buried.
- Good For The EnviromentRecycling requires far less energy, uses fewer natural resources, and keeps waste from piling up in landfills.
- Saves EnergyRecycling offers significant energy savings over manufacturing with virgin materials. (Manufacturing with recycled aluminum cans uses 95% less energy.)
- Preserves Landfill SpaceNo one wants to live next door to a landfill. Recycling preserves existing landfill space.
- Prevents Global WarmingIn 2000, recycling of solid waste prevented the release of 32.9 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCE, the unit of measure for greenhouse gases) into the air.
- Reduces Water PolutionMaking goods from recycled materials generates far less water pollution than manufacturing from virgin materials.
- Creates New DemandRecycling and buying recycled products creates demand for more recycled products, decreasing waste and helping our economy.
- Protects WildlifeUsing recycled materials reduces the need to damage forests, wetlands, rivers and other places essential to wildlife.
