Why Recycle Cans & Bottles?

Recycling is a choice that many individuals, towns and cities have made to help the environment. Recycling cans and bottles can reduce the amount of raw materials needed and help save companies and consumers money.

Benefits

• Companies that produce cans and bottles use 40 to 95 percent less energy producing products made from recycled materials, according to the National Recycling Coalition.

Significance

• Recycling can prevent companies from overusing raw materials such as certain minerals, water and wood to make new materials. Recycling also prevents the destruction of natural habitats and lessens the need for mining.

Effects

• The recycling process has created jobs for the United States over the past decade. More than a million jobs have been created to recycle aluminum, glass and paper products.

Considerations

• Glass is one material that does not wear out. Glass bottles can be recycled over and over again without degrading the material.

Warning

• Before throwing cans, bottles and other materials into a recycling bin, make sure that the materials are recyclable. Some recycling programs must throw out any bins contaminated with materials that are not recyclable.