How much more efficient is it to produce items from recycled materials vs raw materials?

Every year around 9 billion aluminium drink cans are produced in the UK of which 75% come from cans which have been recycled. This is a very positive step because recycling aluminium reduces pressure on landfill sites, environmental pollution and energy use. In fact, it is over 90% more efficient to produce a can from recycled aluminium than from the raw material (bauxite ore). The story is the same with the dreaded plastic bottle (76% more efficient), Newspapers (45% more efficient) and Glass (21% more efficient).

Sources:

• Recycle more (2019), Popular Mechanics (2008)

Matter of Facts are small insights into inspiring sustainable solutions.

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