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Recycling Facts
GLASS:
Although the crafting of glass bottles and jars originated in Europe around 1500 B.C., the making of beaded jewelry from glass dates back much further to 7000 B.C.Glass is chemically inert, therefore, it preserves the freshness and taste of its contents and has a long shelf life.
Virgin glass is manufactured through a mix of sand, soda ash, and limestone. When recycled glass is available, it is added to this mix.It is then heated to 2700 degrees until it is in a molten state. This allows it to be molded into various shapes and sizes.
Glass Recycling in the U.S.:
- 61% of U.S. produced glass containers is clear, 31% is amber, 7% is green, and 1% is blue.
- The U.S. annually produces about 12.5 million tons of glass of which 3.7 million tons is recycled.
- Americans annually dispose of over 28 million glass bottles and jars.
- Every two weeks Americans dispose of enough glass bottles and jars to fill up both towers of the former World Trade Center.
- Glass makes up about 7% of America's municipal solid waste.
- Most bottles and jars contain about 30% recycled glass.
- About 37% of all glass bottles and jars are now recycled.
- Glass recycling employs over 30,000 workers in 76 plants in 25 states.
- Every ton of glass produced from virgin materials produces 27.8 lbs. of air pollution; recycling cuts that amount by over 5 lbs.
- Overall, glass recycling saves over 25% of the energy necessary to make glass with virgin materials.
Recycled Glass is Made Into:
- Glassphalt
- Ceramics
PLASTIC
The production of plastic for use by American and worldwide consumers was the result of new product experimentation by the petrochemical industry during and after World War II. Since then, the plastic container has become a ubiquitous item on our nation's store shelves and around our homes.Plastic Recycling in the U.S.:
- More than 20,000 U.S. facilities produce plastic materials, products, and equipment.
- Plastics make up about 8% of America's Municipal Solid Waste.
- The U.S. post consumer plastics industry employs over 52,000 workers.
- Over 1.3 billion pounds of post-consumer plastics are recycled annually in the U.S.
- The U.S. annually recycles 18% of all of its plastic bottles and containers and 36% of its soft drink bottles.
- Over 23 million lbs. of plastic foam peanuts are recycled annually; that's enough to fill up the Empire State Building.
- In conventional recycling, sorted plastics are chopped, washed and converted into flakes or pellets that are then processed into new products.
Advanced recycling technologies can take plastics back to their original building blocks that are then used to create new products.Recycled Plastic is made into:
- Deli and bakery trays
- Carpets
- Insulation
- Clothing and textiles
- Laundry bottles
- Flower pots
- Recycling bins
- Agricultural pipe
- Plastic bags
- Plastic toys
- Automobile bumpers
- Motor oil bottles
- Plumbing pipes
- Decking
- Marine pilings
Types of Plastic
Most plastic containers have the number type of plastic it is made of stamped on the bottom. Although you will usually find the products identified below consistently in containers made of a certain plastic, that doesn't mean that a product will always be contained in that type of plastic. For example, while ketchup is usually found in #5 bottles, you might also find it contained in #1 or #7 bottles.
- #1 PET - (polyethylene terephthalate) is clear or slightly tinted and has a high melting point: soft drink bottles, peanut butter and salad dressing jars, sheeting for microwave food trays.
- #2 HDPE - (high density polyethylene) - is translucent or colored: milk jugs, juice bottles, water and detergent bottles, margarine tubs, cool whip, bleach bottles, lotion, shampoo, and bubble bath bottles.
- #3 Vinyl - PVC (polyvinyl chloride): have a shiny surface and sink in water - vegetable oil and shampoo bottles, laundry detergent containers, cooking oil bottles, window cleaning products, and fresh meat wrappers.
- #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene): margarine tubs, mustard, and coffee can lids.
- #5 PP (polypropylene): squeezable jelly, syrup bottles, and ketchup bottles.
- #6 PS (polystyrene): Styrofoam containers.
- #7 OTHER: all other.
For general information on plastics contact:
American Plastics Council
800-2-HELP-90 1801 K St. NW, Suite 701-L
Washington, DC 20006-1301
http://www.plasticsresource.com
For Internet information on plastic from the Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov. This is the front door to the EPA's extensive Internet listings.
Sources: The American Plastics Council publications Resource Recycling Magazine, Portland, Oregon
To Contact the Sanitation Division Call 284-6070
