Back in 1982, only about two percent of our municipal waste was recycled. That means less junk is going to landfills. Despite all this, each of us still throws away 18 kilograms of residential waste daily. Waste factors Recycling uses less energy and non-renewable resources and emits less air and water pollution compared to producing new materials.
Recycling plastic uses only five to ten percent as much energy as manufacturing new plastic.
Every tonne of crushed waste glass used saves 1.2 tonnes of raw materials and 135 litres of oil. Every glass bottle recycled saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours. Every tonne of newspaper recycled saves 19 trees and three cubic metres of landfill space. From 1988 to 1996, the volume of cardboard boxes, paper bags and cartons sent to landfills was cut by 60 percent. Every tonne of cans recycled saves 136 tonnes of iron ore and 3.6 barrels of oil.