Recycle – It’s More Than Just Garbage

In 2005, KU recycled over 520 tons of paper, plastic and aluminum. That effort not only reduced the amount of garbage going to the landfill, but had a significant impact on our environment and our economy.

By recycling those 520 tons of material into new products, KU helped save over 8.5 billion BTUs of energy when compared to producing the same materials from new resources. That’s equal to the energy in 425 tons of coal, 1462 barrels of oil, 68,000 gallons of gasoline, OR 8.3 million cubic feet of natural gas. That’s enough energy to power 2,250 houses for a month!

In addition to saving energy, recycling reduces pollution. Those same 520 tons of recyclables kept 636 tons of air pollutants out of our skies and an additional 2.4 tons out of our water supplies. It also saved the green house gas equivalent of removing 335 cars from the road.

Recycling is good for the economy, too. Recycling our “waste” creates 10 times as many jobs when compared to sending it to a land fill. Here at KU, recycling has created 2 full-time jobs and over 15 part-time student positions. And the jobs created in recycling help turn our “trash” into useful products like insulation, roofing material, beverage containers, and even kitty litter. To find out what YOUR recyclables are turned into, visit www.recycle.ku.edu/recycled_products.shtml.

So the next time you are headed for the trash with your aluminum can or newspaper, remember that it is more than just garbage. Recycle instead to help conserve energy and natural resources, reduce pollution, and improve our economy. Recycle instead and it will all come back to you!