Save Natural Resources
By making products from recycled materials instead of virgin materials, we reduce the need to cut down trees, drill for oil, and dig for minerals.

Save Energy
It usually takes less energy to make recycled products: recycled aluminum, for example, takes 95% less energy to make than new aluminum from bauxite ore.

Save Clean Air and Water
In most cases, making products from recycled materials creates less air pollution and water pollution than making products from virgin materials.

Save Landfill Space
When the materials that you recycle go into new products, they don't go into landfills or incinerators, so scarce landfill space is conserved.

Save Money and Create Jobs
The recycling process creates far more jobs than landfills or incinerators, and recycling can frequently be the least expensive waste management method for cities and towns.

Paperboard Boxes

Lightweight cardboard boxes such as cereal, cracker, and shoeboxes are often made from recycled paper. Read the label.

Bath & Facial Tissue

Toilet paper and facial tissue made from recycled paper meet consumer expectations and cost about the same as or less than their non-recycled counterparts.

Plastic Bottles & Jugs

Some household cleaners, dishwashing liquids, shampoos, and other products can be found in plastic bottles with 25% or higher post-consumer recycled content. Check the label.

Paper Towels

Paper towels with recycled content are competitive in price and performance. But don't forget you can use a sponge or rag to do the same job!

Writing Paper & Envelopes

Top-quality recycled paper, envelopes, and greeting cards are increasingly easy to find. Some "designer" recycled stationery is meant to look rough and unfinished, but most recycled paper looks just like the paper made directly from trees. Check the label for post-consumer recycled content. (And don't forget to ask for recycled paper if you order printing or copying.)

Aluminum Beverage Cans

About 50% of the aluminum in beverage cans comes from used cans that were recycled and melted to make new cans.

Glass Bottles & Jars

Nearly 25% of the glass in bottles and jars has been used before, recycled, and remanufactured.

"Tin" (Steel) Cans

So-called "tin" cans are actually made of steel, usually with a thin coating of tin. About 25% of the content is recycled steel, half of that being post-consumer.

Molded Pulp Containers

Gray or brown cardboard egg cartons, fruit trays, and flower pots are made from recycled paper that is repulped and reshaped.