Statistics That May Make You Want to Recycle

The United States has over 2,000 open landfills, which makes the country a much uglier place. While they’re often well-camouflaged, the negative issues that come with them are still there. Underneath everything that has been plastered onto the surface of every landfill are toxins, greenhouse gases, and leachate, and all of them can have a negative effect on the planet. That’s why having a proactive recycling plan is critical to our future survival. So, whether it’s in your office, out in the community, or in your home, you need to have some type of recycling strategy.

Recycling is the most important action that a society can take to improve the environment and the economy. It can also make manufacturing more sustainable while preventing waste from going into the ocean, but recycling is in a crisis in the U.S. because of the confusion people have about it. The level of recycling in the United States is currently 34.5%. But, if it went up to 75%, it would be the same as removing 50 million cars from U.S. roads every single year. It will also create 1.5 million new jobs in this country, which would be a great benefit to our economy.

Other Facts That Stress the Importance of Recycling in Texas

Here some other facts that stress the importance of recycling in Texas:

• Nine-tenths of the solid waste in the United States doesn’t get recycled.
• Landfills are one of the biggest contributors to soil pollution, while approximately 80% of what’s buried in landfills can be recycled.
• While 75% of American waste can be recycled, only 30% of it actually does.
• Recycling a single plastic bottle saves the amount of energy that’s equivalent to running a 100-watt bulb for four hours.
• Recycling a single plastic bottle generates 20% less air pollution and 50% less water pollution than it would take to manufacture a new bottle.
• Recycling plastic saves twice as much energy as it takes to burn it.
• Motor oil gets dirty, but it never wears out. So, it can be recycled.
• Over 11 million tons of recyclable clothing, shoes, and other textiles end up in landfills every single year.
• Nine out of ten people said they would recycle if it were “easier.”
• Women on average show more concern about the environment and are more likely to recycle than men.
• The United States throws away $11.4 billion worth of recyclable containers and other packaging every single year.
• The U. S. Population throws away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour, even though there’s an easier way to reduce the use of these items.
• It takes 500 years for the average plastic water bottle to decompose completely.
• The amount of energy it takes to make 1.5 million tons of plastic could provide power to 250,000 homes.

If you want more information about recycling in or around Corpus Christi, Texas, be sure to speak to someone at Dawson Recycling and Disposal. We’re one of the best places around for all your recycling needs. So, if you want to know how you can improve the environment by recycling your old stuff instead of throwing it away, check out our recycling page. Or just give us a call at 361-643-4589, we would be happy to speak with you!