Recycling is an essential practice that can help reduce the strain we, humans, put on our planet’s natural resources, just by living here. By recycling, we can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, and conserve energy and natural resources since the recycled materials become our new materials. In this crazy world, I fully believe it’s essential to be aware of some of the most important recycling facts because as someone in rural United States, recycling is confusing AF.
Despite the many known benefits of recycling, many people still don’t recycle as much as they could. In fact, according to the Environmental Protections Agency (EPA), only about 32% of waste in the United States is recycled. And, at least in the rural area I live in, I think that number is very high.
I wanted to share with you some of the most important recycling facts that everyone should know. Whether you’re a seasoned recycler or new to the practice, these facts will help you better understand the impact of recycling and why it’s so important for the health of our planet.
Table of Contents
Why Recycling is Important
Recycling is important for many reasons, including protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, reducing waste, and saving energy. It is a giant piece of the climate puzzle that we need to utilize. But recycling needs to be a stepping stone, for us to use as a bridge to the world in which we create consume less and create less waste overall. Recycling should be used as a last resort for product or packaging. But as a last resort before heading to the landfill, I believe it is crucial to prioritize recycling in our daily lives.
One of the main benefits of recycling is its positive impact on the environment. By reducing the amount of solid waste that goes into landfills, we can stop creating a planet filled with trash. Landfills are an important part of our society; if the garbage thrown out by us grows just as exponentially as our human population has, we will be surrounded by literal trash in the future. Landfills will spill into our living areas because there is nowhere else for the waste to go.
Recycling, and thus keeping items out of the landfill, can help reduce the amount of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that are released into the air from the landfill. By recycling materials like paper, plastic, and aluminum to use in the creation of more paper, plastic, and aluminum, we can reduce the demand for NEW raw materials and save the energy of having to go create a usable product again. This can help to mitigate the effects of global warming and reduce the risk of air and water pollution.
Solid Waste Recycling Facts
As an example to how you can help, recycling one ton of paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, three cubic yards of landfill space, 60 pounds of air pollutants, and 463 gallons of oil (which is enough energy to power an average home for six months). A ton of paper is 2,000 pounds and average Americans throw away enough office paper to save the four trees this year (about 600 pounds per person, each year).
Plastic thrown away in a landfill can take over 450 years or more to decompose, and with nearly 20% of everything that is thrown out being plastic, it’s no wonder we need recycling to bridge the game. Recycling gives the plastic a second life, helping it last longer before it ends up in the landfill. But plastic is not infinitely recyclable. So recycling only gives us that stop-gap until we consume less or discover other ways that help.
There is some initial research on “super worms” being able to eat and digest plastic. And while this might be a solution in the future, we’re still really uncertain of the effects eating plastic has on the “super worm.”
Recycling Rates
According to the EPA, the national recycling rate in the United States was 32.1% in 2018. This means that out of the 292.4 million tons of waste generated in the U.S. that year, only 94.2 million tons were recycled. While this is an improvement from the 9.6% recycling rate in 1960, there is still a long way to go to protect our Earth.
Recyclable Materials
Many common materials are recyclable, including paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal. However, not all types of these materials are accepted for recycling in all areas. It’s important to check with your local recycling program to see what materials can be recycled in your community.
Metals are highly recyclable, especially aluminum and steel. Metal is actually the most-recycled material in the United States, thanks to scrap recycling industries. Thanks to scrap recycling, metal was recycled at almost 50% in 2019. Our new metal roof is made from 100% Recycled Steel and is completely recyclable at the end of its (hopefully very long) lifespan.
Glass is almost infinitely recyclable, and can be recycled indefinitely without loss of quality or purity. Which makes it perfect, because it literally won’t decompose in a landfill–like ever. The problem with glass recycling is that it takes specialized equipment that requires more maintenance because of the very nature of dealing with broken glass. And it is heavier than other recycled materials. Recycled glass is crushed and refined until it creates cullet. And almost all NEW glass products are created with at least some cullet.
My Glass Recycling Vision
I’ve been talking to the Boyfriend for years about creating a wine bottle sanitation initiative. In our area, glass isn’t recycled; it is repurposed. The “repurposed” glass is crushed and then placed on the top of the landfill pile everyday to eliminate odors, among other things. What really grinds my gears is that they already to the first step in the recycling process!!!! Like, WTF? We take all of our glass recycling about an hour away once a year or so to ensure it gets recycled properly.
Anyway, back to my vision…you recycle your wine bottles to our sanitation facility, we will sanitize the wine bottles, and then literally provide them to local wineries for the cost of sanitation instead of the winery having to buy new bottles for every batch of wine. In my head this works PERFECTLY. I would love to buy wine that is made with sustainability in mind by using recycled glass bottles. But I’m sure there are more logistics involved that my brain hasn’t thought of yet.
Landfill Facts
According to the United States EPA, the total generation of municipal solid waste in 2018 was 292.4 million tons, or 4.9 pounds per person per day. This waste includes everything Americans throw out, including food waste, items that will be recycled, and also those that end up in the landfill.
A landfill is a designated area where waste materials are disposed of and buried in the ground. There are different types of landfills, the type of landfill depends on the type of waste being disposed of. Landfills receive a wide range of waste materials, including household waste, industrial waste, construction debris, and organic waste. These materials can include plastics, paper, glass, metals, food waste, and more.
Landfills can have significant environmental impacts. When waste decomposes, it releases greenhouse gases such as methane, which is a major contributor to climate change. Landfills can also contaminate soil and groundwater if not managed properly; this could affect natural ecosystems further downstream.
Modern Landfills
To address some of these issues, some modern landfills capture methane through a gas collection systems. The captured methane can be used as a renewable energy source to generate electricity or heat. Other modern landfills are lined with barriers, such as clay or synthetic materials, to prevent waste from contaminating surrounding soil and groundwater. Rainwater that percolates through the landfill becomes leachate, a liquid containing dissolved and suspended materials from the waste. Leachate is collected and treated to prevent environmental contamination.
The lifespan of a landfill depends on various factors, including the size of the landfill, the amount of waste being deposited, and the waste management practices in place. Some landfills can operate for several decades, while others can fill up relatively quickly. Once a landfill reaches its capacity or is closed, it undergoes a process of rehabilitation and closure. This process involves covering the landfill with soil, implementing erosion controls, and monitoring the site to ensure long-term environmental safety.
Landfills are subject to strict regulations and guidelines to ensure proper waste management and environmental protection, more than I thought they were. These regulations cover aspects such as landfill design, liners, leachate management, methane capture, and closure and post-closure procedures.
Many countries and municipalities are implementing strategies to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. These strategies include recycling programs, composting initiatives, waste-to-energy facilities, and promoting sustainable consumption and production practices.
Benefits of Recycling
To recap, recycling has so many benefits and can be a super valuable tool in our individual efforts to help the planet. Recycling itself is good for:
Conservation & Protections
- Conserving natural resources: Recycling reduces the need to extract and process new raw materials from the earth, which helps preserve natural resources like forests, minerals, and water. By recycling materials like paper, plastic, and metals, we can conserve resources and protect natural habitats.
- Protecting wildlife and marine life: Proper disposal of materials, especially plastics, prevents them from ending up in ecosystems, where they can harm wildlife through ingestion or entanglement (think of the sea turtles!). Recycling reduces the amount of waste that pollutes our oceans, rivers, and forests.
Reducing our Impact on the Planet
- Reducing landfill waste: By diverting materials from landfills, recycling helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in these facilities. This, in turn, extends the lifespan of landfills and reduces the need for new ones.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: When materials are recycled, the associated greenhouse gas emissions, such as those produced during extraction, processing, and transportation, are further reduced.
- Saving energy: Recycling uses less energy than producing new products from raw materials. For example, recycling aluminum cans uses 95% less energy than producing new cans from bauxite ore. That’s like a dream sale, 95% off new aluminum cans!
- Promoting a circular economy: Recycling is a key component of the circular economy, where materials are reused, repaired, or recycled in a continuous loop. This approach aims to minimize waste generation, maximize resource efficiency, and create a sustainable, closed-loop system.
Creating a Better World
- Creating jobs: Recycling creates jobs in the collection, processing, and manufacturing of recycled materials. The recycling industry creates employment opportunities at various stages, including collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing. It contributes to local economies and fosters sustainable growth.
- Saving water: Many manufacturing processes require significant amounts of water. By recycling materials like paper and plastic, we can save water resources and reduce the strain on freshwater ecosystems.
- Reducing air pollution: Manufacturing products from recycled materials often produces less air pollution compared to using virgin materials. Recycling reduces emissions of pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and mercury associated with extraction and processing.
In summary, recycling is an important practice that helps conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and create jobs. While the United States has worked to improve recycling rates over the years, there is still more work to be done as better stewards of this Earth.
Common Recycling Myths
I’ve been dedicatedly recycling for years, mostly for glass, aluminum cans and junk mail/cardboard. But sometimes, we have plastic that needs to be recycled as well…we are slowly trying to create a lifestyle that limits the amount of plastics we even bring into our home. Like I noted above, recycling is NOT the entire solution, but it is a valuable strategy as well put new systems in place.
Since I started recycling, I’ve been asked a ton of questions, and have come to realize that there are many common recycling myths that people believe. Here are a few that I’ve come across:
- Myth 1: It all ends up in the landfill anyway. This is the one that I get most often, normally from people in my small, rural area. But I can attest to the fact that it is not {always} a correct assumption. Because we, at least in the United States, live in a capitalist society, the goal is to make as much money as possible. Recycling makes money for waste management companies; if they are collecting recycling, it’s because they are making money off of it. No additional revenue is created if the company decides to dump the recycling in the landfill.
- Myth 2: I can throw everything I want into a blue bin. This is not true. While some cities have single-stream recycling systems that allow you to put all recyclables in one bin, others require you to sort your recyclables. I find that sorting my recycling is helpful in making sure I’ve only placed clean materials, that are accepted by our local facility into our bins. This way my recently rinsed aluminum cans don’t get my cardboard wet, rendering it un-recyclable.
- Myth 3: Plastic bags can be recycled. This is false. Plastic bags cannot be recycled in most curbside recycling programs. Instead, they can be taken to grocery stores or other retailers that have collection bins for plastic bags.
- Myth 4: Recycling uses more energy than it saves. This is a common misconception. While recycling does require energy, it is much less than the energy required to create products from virgin materials.
- Myth 5: Recycling is not worth the effort. This is simply not true. Recycling helps to conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save energy. It also creates jobs and supports the economy. Recycling is an easy way to make a positive impact on the environment and our communities.
- Myth 6: All plastics are recyclable. Unfortunately, this is not the case. While many plastics can be recycled, not all of them are accepted by curbside recycling programs. It’s important to check with your local recycling program to see what types of plastics they accept.
By understanding and debunking these common recycling myths, we can all do our part to recycle properly and protect the environment.
How to Create Good Recycling Habits
Recycling is an important part of reducing waste and conserving resources. Here are my favorite tips on how to recycle effectively.
Sorting Your Recycling
Before you start recycling, it’s important to know exactly what materials your recycling facility collects, and then to sort your materials properly. Make sure to check with your local recycling program to see what materials they accept. Some programs may only accept certain types of plastics or paper, for example. It’s also important to make sure your recyclables are clean and dry before you put them in your recycling bin. This means separating your recyclables into different categories like paper, plastics, glass, and metal. You can use separate bins or bags for each category, or you can use a single bin with multiple compartments. And honestly, sorting now saves time in the future.
Recycling Containers and Labels
Recycling containers come in many different shapes and sizes, from small bins to large carts. Make sure you choose a container that is appropriate for the amount of recycling you generate. You can also use clear bags or transparent containers to make it easier for recycling workers to see what’s inside.
Many recycling programs use labels or symbols to indicate what materials are accepted. These labels may be found on recycling bins, containers, or packaging. Make sure to read and follow these labels carefully to avoid contaminating your recycling.
We actually drop our recycling off locally. So we put our materials for recycling in large cardboard boxes, no fancy bins for us, until we have a chance to take it to the facility (which is on our way to the local park where we walk our dogs!).
Recycling Guidelines
To recycle effectively, it’s important to follow some basic guidelines. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Only recycle materials that are accepted by your local program.
- Rinse out containers and remove any food or debris before recycling.
- Flatten cardboard boxes to save space in your recycling bin (and keep your cardboard/paper from getting wet).
- Don’t put plastic bags or other non-recyclable materials in your recycling bin.
- Avoid putting hazardous materials like batteries or electronics in your recycling bin.
- For plastic recycling, there is normally a number indicating the plastic-type on the container. Always look for this number to ensure your container can be locally.
- For glass recycling, avoid putting ceramics, pottery, and high heat glass (like mason jars) into your glass recycling, unless your facility specifically accepts these.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your recycling is processed efficiently and effectively. Remember, every little bit helps when it comes to reducing waste and conserving resources. Tell me your biggest recycling questions below! I know there is so much confusing information to wade through out there!