RECYCLING: Is it working? An investigation of the environmental significance of recycling by Javan Villegas, Peter Albrich, Jus Bagoyo

A Brief History of Recycling Been around for thousands of years Was adopted by environmental movement in the 70’s. Is usually done to conserve resources, make a profit or help the earth.

What Gets Recycled? Aluminum Cardboard Glass Paper Plastics Steel Etc. What Gets Recycled?

Aluminum Cardboard Glass Paper Plastics Steel Etc.

And the Point Is… …Generally to help the earth So does the recycling of certain products significantly aid the earth?

ALUMINUM

WHAT IS RECYCLING ALUMINUM DOING? -Is it helping the environment? -Is it economically beneficial? -Is recycling aluminum doing what it is supposed to be doing? -Is it pointless?

FACTS

FACTS ABOUT ALUMINUM RECYCLING Aluminum is 100% recyclable! -It is a sustainable metal, so aluminum can be recycled over and over again. -Two-thirds of aluminum ever produced IS IN USE TODAY! Over 50% of the aluminum cans produced are recycled.

Facts Continued Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours or a 100- watt light bulb for four hours. Recycling 40 cans conserves the same energy as one gallon of gasoline. Recycled aluminum requires less energy, so it produces 95% LESS emissions, such as greenhouse gases.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS Aluminum is the most abundant metal on earth! Aluminum is a SUSTAINABLE METAL and can be recycled OVER AND OVER AGAIN. -The process involves simply re-melting the metal, which is far less expensive and energy intensive than creating new aluminum. -Recycling scrap aluminum requires only 5% of the energy used to make new aluminum.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Apparent Consumption by Market (figures in millions of pounds) Major Market Building and Construction- 3,100 - consumes 12.6% of the total shipment of aluminum Transportation- 7,855/ 32% Consumer Durables- 1,474/ 6% Electrical- 1,643/ 6.7% Machinery & Equipment- 1,623/ 6.6% Containers & Packaging- 4,895/ 19.9% Other- 792/ 3.2% Domestic- 21,412/ 87% Exports- 3,206/ 13%

The TRANSPORTATION SECTOR is the largest North American market for aluminum accounting for 7.9 billion pounds.

After the facts, do you still think recycling aluminum is pointless?

Sources: tors/Educational+Materials/Recycling+Fact s+and+Figures/ htm AdQFEY

AdQFEY

Glass

What is it? A state of matter Most commercial glass is Silica, Soda and Lime Colors Obtained by different chemicals Chemically Neutral Infinitely Recyclable Something that takes a long time to decompose

How is it recycled? Glass is sorted by color Crushed/Turned into cullet Cullet is melted or mixed with raw materials Cullet has lower liquid temp than raw silica Also Less additives are needed THE VIDEO 8

Why Recycle Glass? Energy is saved at the furnaces It can cost less to produce (In ton of silica = $27.73, Cullet sometimes less) It takes less material to make Its very useful It takes up less space in landfills

The Life Cycle Analysis Done by British Glass Found that using recycled glass to make jars and bottles Saves 315kg of CO2 per ton. Saves CO2 when used for other products too

How much glass is recycled? In 2007 the US generated 11,470,000 tons of Glass Containers and Packaging We recycled 28.1 percent or 3,220,000 tons That’s 1,014,300,000 kg about 2,236,100,000 pounds of CO2 However in 2006 cars produced around 2,872,253,487,850 pounds of CO2, about 1280 times more

Regardless… Recycled glass still very useful. It can be found in: -Glasphalt -Fiberglass -Bottles and Containers -Sand/abrasives -Tiles/Frames/Windows -And so much more!! (not really)

Sources df container-recycling-prices-dec-17/ garbage.html?sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink& pagewanted=2 df container-recycling-prices-dec-17/ garbage.html?sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink& pagewanted= ml/table_01_11.htmlhttp:// Background recycling symbol from:

Plastic Recycling Types of Plastic RecycledTypes of Plastic Recycled Energy used by Plastic Recycling/which types get recycled mostEnergy used by Plastic Recycling/which types get recycled most How Plastic is RecycledHow Plastic is Recycled

Pros about Plastic Recycling How easy it is for the consumer How easy it is for the consumer Number of industries recycling Number of industries recycling plastic today plastic today Uses for plastic recycling Uses for plastic recycling

Local Industries Recycling Plastic Denton’s Facility Denton’s Facility One of the top 50 plastic recycling companies in the U.S. One of the top 50 plastic recycling companies in the U.S. Regulatory changes enhance plastic recycling Regulatory changes enhance plastic recycling

Laws Affecting Plastic Recycling Oregon Recycling Act of 1991 Oregon Recycling Act of 1991 Oregon Rigid Plastic Container Law Oregon Revised Stated (ORS) 459AOregon Revised Stated (ORS) 459A Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 340 Division 90Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 340 Division 90 Oregon Senate Bill 707 (adding H2O to Bottle refunds)Oregon Senate Bill 707 (adding H2O to Bottle refunds)

Work Cited Work CitedWork Cited Akron Web Design and Marketing. 21 Mar American Chemistry Council, Inc 21 Mar DEQ. 25 May Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. “Rigid Plastic Containers.” 25 May Pictures Work CitedPictures Work Cited “Compacted Recycled Plastic.” 25 May “Plastic Bag.” 25 May “Denton’s Plastic Recycling Facility.” 25 May Wilson, Mark. “Message in a Bottle.” EmpireWire. 25 May

So Does Recycling Help? In the all 3 cases recycling has been shown to be better environmentally than creating the products from raw materials. However It can be bad Economically Still a good thing to do