|
|
Table 1: Energy Savings and CO2 Impacts | |||||||
Energy Savings Per Ton Recycled |
Energy Generated |
||||||
| Materials | Grade | % Reduction of Energy* | Million BTUs | Equivalent in Barrels of Oil | Tons CO2 Reduced | Million BTUs | Equivalent in Barrels of Oil |
| Aluminum | 95 | 196 | 37.2 | 13.8 | -1.06 | -0.2 | |
| Paper** | Newsprint Print/Writing Linerboard Boxboard |
45 35 26 26. |
20.9 20.8 12.3 12.8 |
3.97 3.95 2.34 2.43 |
-0.03 -0.03 0.07 0.04 |
11.8 11.8 11.8 11.8 |
2.24 2.24 2.24 2.24 |
| Glass | Recycle Reuse |
31 328 |
4.74 50.18 |
0.9 9.54 |
0.39 3.46 |
-0.34 na |
-0.06 na |
| Steel | 61 | 14.3 | 2.71 | 1.52 | -0.34 | -0.06 | |
| Plastic | PET PE PP |
57 75 74 |
57.9 56.7 53.6 |
11 10.8 10.2 |
0.985 0.346 1.32 |
35.9 35.9 38.5 |
6.8 6.8 7.3 |
| Mixed MSW | na | na | na | na | 10 | 1.9 | |
Estimates derived from data supplied by Argonne National Labs (1980, 1981), DOE (1982),
Franklin Associates (1990), AL Associates, AISI, Phillips 66, Wellman (1991). Conversions
based on data from Love (1974), CRC (1978), Perry (1984), EIS (1990).
* Relative to energy required for virgin production
** Energy calculations for paper recycling count unused wood as fuel
na = not applicable
TABLE 2: Recovery Rates for Materials Found in the U.S. Municipal Waste Stream | |
| Recovery as percent of generation |
|
| Paper and paperboard | 35.3% |
| Glass | 23.4% |
|
32.3% | 37.6% | 66.1% | 35.9% |
| Plastics | 4.7% |
| Rubber and leather | 7.1% |
| Textiles | 11.7% |
| Wood | 9.8% |
| Other materials | 20.9% |
| Total materials in products | 25.9% |
| 3.4% | |
| 22.9% | |
| 15.7% | TOTAL MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE | 23.6%[194] |
NOTES
194. Excerpted from Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1995 Update (Washington, D.C.: EPA, March 1996), at p.6.
Copyright 1997, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
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