We have now compiled our 2011 numbers around recycling efforts and I am happy to report that we beat our estimated goals!
Here is a breakdown of the total amount of recycled materials, which does not include donations to GoodWill, the Salvation Army and other Charities for re-use:

  • Cardboard/Paper: ~300,000lbs (150 tons)
  • Iron/metal: ~150,000lbs (75 tons)
  • Green waste: ~100,000lbs (50 tons)
  • Electronic waste (or e-waste): 1560 pieces
  • Concrete: ~3,000,000lbs (1,500 tons)

All these recycled materials came from a combination of residential and commercial trash hauling and junk removal jobs. The concrete also came from commercial and residential jobs; some of those jobs include breaking up driveways, patios, etc. and hauling away the debris and some jobs only consist of hauling away the debris created by other demolition companies.
As we explain on our Green Hauling page (among other things) we always work toward passing on the recycling savings to our customers.

Here are a few facts and numbers about recycling practices:

  • Producing 1 ton of steel from raw iron ore produces around 538 pounds of solid wastes and 42 pounds of air pollutants. By comparison, recycling steel reduces air pollution by about 86% and reduces water pollution by around 76%.
  • It takes approximately 17 mature trees to produce 1 ton of paper fiber. Producing paper from recycled fiber requires 40% less energy than is required to produce paper from tree pulp.
  • Burning I ton of paper generates about 1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide gas and 60 pounds of other air pollutants.
  • Recycling protects and expands US manufacturing jobs and increases US competitiveness.
  • Recycling reduces the need for incineration and use of landfills.
  • Recycling prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from virgin materials.
  • Recycling decreases emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.
  • Recycling conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals.

(Sources: epa.gov, Wikipedia, crra.com)