Recycling by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC]

A sustainable exploration of facts and figures.

Aug 3, 2015
Special Collections: REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

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How many aluminium cans does it take to power a television for two hours? And speaking of tin cans, how long does it take to get them recycled and back on the shelf? This infographic dives into the facts and figures, shining a light on the impact of the all-important practice of recycling.

Recycling by the Numbers - infographic: top recycling countries - Switzerland (52% of waste recycled), Austria (50%), Germany (48%), Netherlands (46%), Norway (40%). The EPA estimates that 75% of the US waste stream is recyclable - but only 30% gets recycled. In the US, over 100,000 aluminium cans are recycled each minute. Recycling 1 aluminium can generates electricity to power a TV for 2 hours. Used Aluminium cans are recycled and back on the shelf in 60 days. Recycling 1 glass bottle generates enough electricity to power a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours, a computer for 30 minutes or a television for 20 minutes. A glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as few as 30 days. Five 2-liter recycled PET bottles contain enough fiberfill to make a ski jacket. Preventing 1 ton of paper waste saves 15-17 mature trees.

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Infographic: Yael Shinkar

Sources: 
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-recycling
http://www.epa.gov/smm/wastewise/wrr/factoid.htm
http://www.kab.org/ 

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