We all know that recycling is good for the environment, but just how much energy is saved when we recycle? Here are just a few statistics:
– The amount of energy saved by recycling aluminium cans is about 96% over producing new cans. In addition, every tonne of aluminium that’s recycled prevents 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
– Recycling newsprint saves 45% of the energy of creating new paper, and every tonne prevents 2.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions from being released.
– Recycling soft-drink bottles (made from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET No. 1) saves 76% of the energy needed to produce new bottles, and prevents 1.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions for every tonne of plastic recycled.