Energy and recycling
Recycling saves energy!
You already know that recycling keeps waste out of landfills. But did you know that recycling saves energy too?
Companies that use recycled materials use less energy. Making aluminum cans from recycled cans uses 95% less energy than making cans from raw aluminum ore.
To make new paper products, trees must be cut down, transported hundreds of miles and ground into paper pulp. All of these things use a lot of energy. It takes 30% less energy to make the same products out of recycled paper.
In fact, the energy saved from recycling one ton of paper saves enough energy to power an average household for up to six months, saves 7,000 gallons of water and keeps 600 pounds of pollutants out of the air.
Recycling makes a difference!
How can you help?
Everything you recycle at home and school helps save energy and the environment – so keep up the good work! Use your recycle bins and if they aren’t available, tell an adult and take the materials with you to recycle.
You can keep doing good for our planet when you're buying things too. The next time you go to the store, keep an eye out for products that say "Made from recycled..." on the package.
And one more earth-friendly tip: be sure look for products that don't have a lot of extra packaging. It takes a lot of extra energy to make shrink-wrap, bubble paper and foam peanuts and most of it can't be recycled.
