History and Benefits of Recycling

History

Download the transcript for "A Brief History of Recycling" (Word doc)

Benefits

• Reduces waste that gets sent to landfills
• Conserves natural resources like paper, metals, wood, and glass that can be reused
• Helps reduce the need to harvest new materials from the Earth
• Decreases pollution and cuts down on carbon emissions that harm the atmosphere
• Creates jobs in both the recycling and manufacturing industries

Top Recycling Facts to Know in 2022*

1. Of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the U.S. in 2021, only 5% to 6% — or about two million tons — was recycled.
2. Between 2019 and 2020, there was a 5.7% overall decrease in plastics recovered for recycling in the U.S. That is the equivalent of 290 million pounds.
3. Approximately 36% of all plastic produced is used to create packaging, 85% of which ends up in landfills.
4. About 98% of single-use plastic products are made from fossil fuels.
5. Globally, we produce about 400 million tons of plastic waste yearly.
6. Until recently, the U.S. outsourced a significant portion of its plastic, but import bans in countries like China and Turkey have fueled a decline in recycling.

*Facts were sourced from EcoWatch.