Glass
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In the U.S., approximately 13.2 million tons of glass waste is generated annually and about 22% of all glass beverage containers are recycled. (62)
About 5 billion glass bottles and jars of all kinds are recycled each year in the United States; a nearly 500% increase in the last ten years. That represents about 2.5 billion pounds of glass that won't end up in a landfill. (38)
We save over a ton of resources for every ton of glass recycled 1,330 lbs. of sand, 433 lbs. Of soda ash, 433 lbs. Of limestone and 151 lbs. of feldspar. (21)
A ton of glass produced from raw materials creates 384 pounds of mining waste. Using 50% recycled glass cuts waste by about 75%. (21)
Using recycled glass to make new glass cuts related air pollution by up to 20%. (10)
Recycling 1 ton of glass saves the equivalent in energy of 10 gallons of oil. (28)
Recycling a glass bottle saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours. (51)
Most bottles and jars contain at least 25% recycled glass. Glass never wears out. It can be recycled forever. (21)
About 75% of the United States' glass is used for packaging. (21)
If all the glass bottles and jars collected through recycling in the U.S. in 1994 were laid end to end, they'd reach the moon and half way back to earth. (24)
Glass containers recycled in the U.S. in 1994 would fill 103,333 tractor-trailers. Bumper to bumper, they'd stretch from Dallas to Los Angeles. (24)
Glass makes up about 8% of America's municipal waste. (21)
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