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The U.S. recycling industry consists of approximately 29,345 establishments, that employ over 950,000 people, generate an annual payroll of nearly $34 billion, and gross over $222 billion in annual revenues.

Economy- The Recycling Connection

Conversion Factors and Formulas to determine how much energy your County or City saves by recycling.

Energy

conversion factors and formulas to determine how much FUEL your business or organization saves by recycling.

Recycling Saves Fuel

Glass recycled at home is sent to local and global manufacturing plants where it is transformed into useful everyday products. 59% of the total plastic PET (#1) bottles recycled in the U.S. are made into polyester fiber, for use in t-shirts, fill for sleeping bags and carpet.

Recycling Glass and Plastics

Creating paper products from recycled materials produces less water pollution than making those products from virgin materials. Every ton of paper made from recycled materials saves about 7,000 gallons of water.

Recycling Saves Water

Every person in Washington could potentially create 2 bags of compost per year by recycling his/her yard trimmings. Compost-enriched soil can reduce erosion, alleviate soil compaction, and help control disease and pest infestation in plants. Compost can increase plant production, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, and conserve natural resources.

Composting

Consumers could purchase portions of the same recycled aluminum can from a grocer’s shelf 4 times a year. Paper can endure the recycling process approximately 7 times before the fibers become too short.

Recycling Aluminum and Paper