How much recyclable material is there in the average ton of garbage?

Question

The cost of recycling is often more than the return. However, the cost of our landfill is phenomenal, so we can lose money recycling yet still save money. I just need some averages. thank you

Answer 1

The countries with the best records for recycling are able to recycle and reclaim over 80% of garbage.  Most countries fall into the 20 to 30% range - partly because some people don't know what can be recycled, partly because some people can't be bothered but also because facilities for recycling don't always exist or are not practical.

Pretty much most things can be recyled - most wood, nearly all paper, some textiles, all glass, most metal, most plastics, all organic material.  In some places facilities exist for recycling hard to dispose of items such as electrical appliances and tires.

To put a figure on it - I'd say about 90% of garbage could be recycled one way or another, maybe about 80% of which is viable to recycle.

Our house is about 85% - we have 6 bins, 5 for recyleables and one for non recyclables.

Answer 2

Depends on if you live in the STATES or in CANADA!

I can tell you from my last visit to the States I did not see one item recycled at a convention of over 30,000.

Manufacturers should be made to use less packaging.  I leave excess packaging at the stores in their shopping carts and let them dispose of it.  

If more people did that maybe they'd get the hint.

People should ALWAYS recycle.  You can't deplete the earth of it's resources just cause people are lazy.

Answer 3

A lot