We generate an average of 3 pounds of trash per person per day, which if you really stop to think how much an empty bottle or sheet of paper weighs, is an astronomical amount.
You know plenty about the good that recycling does, but there are probably some facts you don’t know but should. Here are our top ones.
Recycling Saves Energy
You may think that undoing something that’s already been done would seemingly take more work and therefore more energy to accomplish. After all, taking a used plastic bottle and turning it into another “new” plastic item seems to be almost like reinventing the wheel.
The truth, however, is that recycling actually saves energy in many ways. For example, every ton of plastic bottles recycled saves the equivalent of a two person household’s annual energy usage. That’s a big deal an even bigger energy saving. Compared to manufacturing raw plastic and transforming that raw plastic into something useful, there’s a huge energy saving.
Aluminum Cans Are Worth Their Weight in Gold
When it comes down to energy savings, aluminum cans are king. Aluminum is the third most abundant element on the planet which makes it an ideal candidate for all sorts of uses; however, aluminum must be mined, transported, broken down into a useful form, and then manufactured into the cans we take for granted.
On the other hand, recycling aluminum cans saves up to 95% of the energy it would otherwise take to manufacture new cans from raw materials. When you put those energy savings into perspective, considering that most of our energy comes from non-renewable resources, it’s a major saving not only in money but also to the environment.
Save Water and Trees
The paper manufacturing industry is a massive environmental drag. Yes, technically trees are a renewable resource but at what cost to the environment as a whole?
During the paper production process, up to 7,000 gallons of water are used to produce one ton of paper. The water is used to bleach the paper primarily but is virtually rendered useless afterward. By using recycled paper, you’re saving not only those thousands of wasted gallons of water but you’re putting a dent in the nearly 1 billion trees that are used annually.
You’re Supporting a $200 Billion Industry
Recycling in the United States is a $200 billion industry, and while most environmentally conscious recyclers are not recycling to give someone else a job, you say a lot by putting your “money” into an industry.
You’ve probably heard that you vote with your dollars. In other words, put your money somewhere and that’s where the political support and funding from governmental agencies tend to flow. By recycling and purchasing recycled products, you’re making a financial vote to support more recycling and help create change.
While you’re helping to change the environment and community, let us help you secure your new home! Reach out to Tidewater Mortgage Services, Inc. today. You could be prequalified in as little as 24 hours!
