Every little bit counts! Recyling facts that may surprise you.

“Going green” by recycling efficiently is something everyone can do to preserve and protect our environment and natural resources.  To drive this fact home, below are some interesting facts about America’s consumption of recyclable materials.

Statistics from the Clean Air Council include:

• The average office worker uses about 500 disposable cups a year — a good incentive to bring your own coffee mug to work!
• In America we use approximately one billion shopping bags annually — creating 300,000 tons of landfill waste.
• During the 2009 annual International Coastal Cleanup, the Ocean Conservancy tallied shopping bags as the most common form of waste, comprising 10% of the waste items picked up.

The City of Mesa, Arizona, also supplies some fascinating stats:

• Each year we manufacture enough plastic film to shrink wrap the entire state of Texas!
• Recycling five plastic soda bottles can create enough fiberfill for one ski jacket.
• Nearly 40% of the U.S. waste stream is comprised of paper.
• By recycling just two gallons of used oil, enough electricity can be generated to run an average American household for nearly 24 hours.
• Take the small steps needed to eliminate the use or  increase the recycling of the common items above.  By simply changing just a few of our daily habits, together we can make a discernible difference in protecting our environment.