Recycling prevents waste, conserves natural resources and reduces air and water pollution. More than 70 percent of the millions of tons of garbage that Americans use each year could be recycled, according to the Nebraska Energy Office. Recycled materials are used to create a range of consumer products, including paper, glass and building products.
Glass
Recycled crushed glass, called cullet, is mixed with raw materials to create new glass products. Using cullet costs less than raw materials and demands less energy from power sources, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Recycled glass is used to make bottles, insulation, window glazing, countertops and wall and floor tiles.
Paper
Fibers from old papers are turned into pulp during the recycling process and used to create new paper products. Writing paper, copy paper, fiberboard, insulation, cat litter, paint filler, roofing materials and gypsum board may contain recycled pulp. Recovered paper is usually recycled in a grade similar to, or of lower quality than, the original product, according to Paper University. Old corrugated boxes become new boxes, while old writing paper becomes new paper.
Plastic
Plastic is carefully sorted by type before recycling in order to avoid contamination during the manufacturing process. Uses for recycled plastic vary, depending on the original use of the plastic. Plastic bottles and food containers are used to manufacture luggage, carpet, clothing, plastic lumber, flower pots, food and beverage containers, pipes and floor tiles. Bread, frozen food and dry cleaning bags become plastic lumber, trash cans, film, trash can liners and shipping envelopes. Old floor tiles, plastic packaging, window frames and medical tubing are recycled into traffic cones, looseleaf binders, gutters, floor mats and electrical equipment. Polystyrene egg cartons, plates and cups become new egg cartons, thermometers, rulers, foam packing and light switch plates.
Tires
Recycling plants transform old tires into ground rubber and use the recycled rubber to create long-lasting railroad ties and highway sound barriers. Ground rubber is also used to create playground and athletic field surfaces. The rubber provides a natural cushioning effect. Asphalt rubber is the largest single market for ground rubber and consumes an estimated 12 million tires, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Ground rubber is mixed with asphalt to create a quieter, longer-lasting surface that reduces road maintenance costs. Including ground rubber in a road surface also decreases the distance motorists require to brake.
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