More than 250 million tons of garbage were produced during 2008, according to a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Of that total, 61 million tons were recycled and 22.1 million tons were composted. While recycling efforts have increased steadily over the past two decades, tons of recyclable garbage is still disposed of at landfills. With better education about exactly what items can be recycled, consumers may be able to improve on those figures.
Paper
Paper products represent the largest category of recyclable materials consumed and the largest recovered by tonnage. The Ecology Global Network estimates that Americans use an average of 749 pounds of paper annually. Those products include items such as printing and writing paper, cardboard, and tissue paper.
Glass
Glass products, such as bottles, drinking cups and decorative vases and bowls, are recycled to create new glass items, insulation, and construction materials. Some municipalities require the separation of glass by color. Ceramics, window glass, and ovenware usually are not considered recyclable glass and should not be included with other glass recyclables.
Metals
Recyclable metals include items made from steel, aluminum, and lead from batteries. For large metal items, such as appliances, check with your municipality to determine how to recycle them. Some municipalities pick up large items by appointment and some provide drop-off locations. Items such as boats or trailers are typically not handled by city services and can be sold to commercial recyclers.
Plastics
Plastics are second only to paper in the amount of product materials generated and include items such as plastic containers, toys, and packaging. In 2008, Americans generated more than 30 million tons of plastics and recycled only 2.12 million tons, making this an area for great improvement. According to the EPA, plastic bottles represent the highest amount of recycled plastic products.
Rubber and leather
Rubber and leather products represent a small portion of generated recyclables at only 7.41 million tons annually. In the past several years, the market for recycling tires has made huge strides in finding innovative uses for recycled rubber. Products include asphalt for roads, mulch, and athletic surfaces, such as gym floors.
Textiles
Textiles are products made from yarn or thread, such as cloths, sheets, drapes, and rugs. In 2008, 12.4 million tons of textiles were generated, but only 15.3 percent were recovered as recyclables.
Wood
Wood products represent one of the smaller amounts of recyclable waste generated, at only 16.4 million tons in 2008, according to the EPA study. The recycling rate of wood products is also low, at only 9.6 percent recovered in 2008.
Food
The EPA estimated food waste in 2008 at 32 million tons with only 800,000 tons recycled. The agency recommended an increase in composting to lower the amount of food waste.
Yard Trimmings
Yard trimmings comprised 13.2 percent of generated waste, making it the fourth-largest category. While yard trimmings are biodegradable, large quantities in landfills generate methane gas, which can seep into the ground and into nearby buildings, potentially resulting in explosions. The EPA recommends leaving yard trimmings on your lawn when mowing or creating a compost pile.
References
- United States Environmental Protection Agency: Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2008
- Ecology Global Network: Paper Chase
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: What Can Be Recycled?
- United States Environmental Protection Agency: Ground Rubber Applications
- United States Environmental Protection Agency: Composting and Anaerobic Digestion
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