Do you want to see the immediate energy saving benefits of what recycling can do? Visit the iWARM calculator available on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website and learn about how recycling workplace and household items equates to energy usage.
Here are just a few fun facts: Making the choice to recycle an aluminum can rather than put it in the garbage, produces energy equal to operating a 60W incandescent light for a little over 4 hours, or a compact fluorescent light for over 20 hours? Think about all the cans of beverage you, your family, and your co-workers consume in a given day – if all those cans were recycled that’s enough to light an entire house or small building!
But the iWARM calculator shows more than just the energy benefits of recycling cans. It can also help you determine the energy savings for all these common items:
- Metal coat hangers
- Glass bottles
- Steel cans
- Corrugated cardboard
- Gallon plastic (HDPE) milk jug
- Gallon plastic (HDPE) detergent container
- Plastic grocery bag
- Plastic (PET) bottles
- Catalogs
- Weekly magazines
- White business envelopes
- Paperboard Cereal boxes
- Daily newspapers
- Printer paper
- and much more!
WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Most homes and business have all the recyclable items listed above. Are you recycling them or adding them in with trash? If you aren’t recycling then you’re adding additional costs to your bottom line! Disposing of your waste and recycling in an efficient, compliant manner can help to save the environment and save you money!