Facts and Statistics
- In 2009, almost 30 million tons of plastics were generated in the United States, and only around 2 million tons were recovered.
- In 2009, 2.12 million tons of plastics (of all kinds) were recycled in the United States. However, that was only 7.1% of all plastics generated in 2009.
- In 2009, the plastic bottle recycling rate reached a record high of 2.5 billion pounds, or 28% of all plastic bottles consumed in the United States.
Economics
In 2009, $485 million worth of plastic was wasted in the United States. That’s enough for 1,000 households to live on the U.S. median income for nearly a decade.
Accessibility
94% of Americans have access to plastic bottle recycling and 40% of the population can also recycle other types of plastic containers, like dairy tubs and lids.
Within the 100 largest cities via a 2,500-community person survey, the percentage of the population with access to recycle plastic containers in addition to bottles has nearly doubled since 2008.
Recycled content
If all 8 billion pounds of plastic bottles produced in the U.S. in 2009 had been recycled, the material could have produced 22 million extra large t-shirts.
The amount of plastic bottles recycled in 2009, provided enough raw material for about 7 million shirts to be made.
44 percent increase in 2009 of RPET (Recycled PET) used in food and beverage bottles.
Energy
Every pound of recycled PET used in place of virgin material reduces energy use in plastic production by 84% and greenhouse gas emissions by 71%
Plastic bags and films RecyclingIn 2009, over 855 million pounds of plastic bags and wraps were recycled in the U.S. – up 31% percent from 2005.
Americans recycled 200 million more pounds of plastic bags and film in 2009 than we recycled in 2005.
Economics
Only 9 percent of plastic bags, sacks, and wraps were recycled in 2009. That means 3,470 tons – or $694,000 worth—were discarded!
Over half of all recovered film was exported in 2009, compared to about 1/4 in 2005.