Curbside Recycling Fun Facts

Here’s a few fun facts about curbside recycling:

• The EPA estimates that 75 percent of what Americans throw in the trash could actually be recycled
• Incinerating 10,000 tons of waste creates one job; landfilling 10,000 tons of waste creates six jobs; recycling 10,000 tons of waste creates 36 jobs
• The national recycling rate of 30 percent saves the equivalent of more than five billion gallons of gasoline, reducing dependence on foreign oil by 114 million barrels
• According to the EPA, recycling, including composting, diverted 68 million tons of material away from landfills and incinerators in 2001, up from 34 million tons in 1990
• Aluminum can (the most valuable item in your bin) recycling can fund the entire cost of curbside collection