Why Recycle?

Here are six great reasons to recycle:

1. Recycling conserves natural resources.
   For every 2,000 pounds of steel recycled, 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal, and 120 pounds of limestone are conserved.
    
2. Recycling saves energy.
   Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a television or computer for three hours.
   Recycling plastic uses 80 percent less energy than manufacturing plastic from virgin materials.
    
3. Recycling reduces pollution.
   Making goods from recycled materials creates far less air and water pollution than manufacturing from virgin materials. For example, making a ton of paper from recycled fiber keeps 60 pounds of pollutants out of the air and saves 100 gallons of water.
    
4. Recycling creates jobs.
   A million or more people are estimated to hold jobs in the recycling and reuse sectors nationwide.
    
5. Recycling saves money.
   For every ton of recyclable material diverted from trash, the County saves $57. At a time when every dollar counts, recycling saves Baltimore County nearly $3 million per year in disposal costs.
    
6. Recycling lengthens landfill life.
   Baltimore County's only operating landfill is already half full. The more that County residents recycle, the more years the landfill will last.

Revised April 24, 2012

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