Question

Recycle quiz:
a) Recycled aluminum requires about 5, 20, or 35 percent of the energy required to produce virgin aluminum from bauxite?
b) Recycling one ton of paper saves what volume of landfill?
c) Construction and demolition waste constitute about what percentage of the total solid waste stream in the United States — 20, 40, or 60 percent?

Answer

a) Using recycled aluminum takes about 5 percent of the energy that would be required to produce virgin aluminum from bauxite.
b) Recycling one ton (0.9 metric tons) of paper avoids the processing of about 17 trees and the filling of 3 cubic yards (2.3 cubic meters) of landfill space.
c) Construction and demolition waste make up about 40 percent of the solid waste stream in the United States.