Why Recycle

1-800-JUNK-GUY and our parent company Federal Reclamation are committed to doing our part in recycling or reusing as many items as possible that we remove. Why is recycling important?

The world does not contain endless resources. Left to our own devices, we have been destroying our planet at an ever increasing rate. Forests are disappearing with increasing speed; rivers and lakes are becoming more and more polluted. Landfills are encroaching upon our neighborhoods, and the air that we breath is becoming hazardous to our health. Recycling is a simple and easy way to help us use less of these resources.

By reusing old materials, we reduce the amount of new materials we need. Old paper and cardboard, for example, can be turned into new products, saving oxygen-producing trees in the process. Aluminum, steel, plastics and other metals can be recycled, lowering the amount of natural resources used to produce new metals.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “50 percent of all paper, 34 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles, 45 percent of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans, 63 percent of all steel packaging, and 67 percent of all major appliances are now recycled.” 
 
Although individual efforts help, communities must work together to reap the full benefits of recycling. From corporations, to small businesses, to schools and homes, everyone can do his or her part to recycle.

The possibilities are endless: recycling brings benefits both regionally and nationally. The more we recycle the less waste we generate, which means the less dependent we become on making new landfills in our communities.

In addition to waste, we also have to purchase raw materials needed to make plastics, metals, and other products. By reusing these materials, we save money as a country, because we do not need to purchase new raw materials.

Recycling also helps use less energy, because turning recycled material into new material takes less energy than turning raw material into new material.

Additionally, forming new material from recycled material does not cause as much pollution.  
With so many benefits to recycling, it should be an every day activity in everyone’s household. How difficult is it to throw your recyclables in a separate container from your trash and take it to the curb or a recycling center on your way to work?

As a company, 1-800-JUNK-GUY is committed to doing its part. We recycle 100% of all of the metal debris that we remove. We also work with local charities like GOODWILL INDUSTRIES to donate any furniture or other personal items that can be submitted. All hazardous materials like batteries, tires. Electronics and appliances containing Freon are disposed of properly. While our competitors may be able to dispose of your junk at a cheaper rate, that is most often because they a illegally dumping many of the more expensive and difficult to dispose of items.

So remember, recycling is a responsibility that all of us must accept.  

Top 10 Reasons to Recycle                                                      

 
 
1. Good For Our Economy  
American companies rely on recycling programs to provide the raw materials they need to make new products.  
 
2. Creates Jobs  
Recycling in the U.S. is a $236 billion a year industry. More than 56,000 recycling and reuse enterprises employ 1.1 million workers nationwide.  
 
3. Reduces Waste  
The average American discards seven and a half pounds of garbage every day. Most of this garbage goes into to landfills, where it's compacted and buried.  
 
4. Good For The Environment  
Recycling requires far less energy, uses fewer natural resources, and keeps waste from piling up in landfills.  
 
5. Saves Energy  
Recycling offers significant energy savings over manufacturing with virgin materials. (Manufacturing with recycled aluminum cans uses 95% less energy.)  
 
6. Preserves Landfill Space  
No one wants to live next door to a landfill. Recycling preserves existing landfill space.  
 
7. Prevents Global Warming  
In 2000, recycling of solid waste prevented the release of 32.9 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCE, the unit of measure for greenhouse gases) into the air.  
 
8. Reduces Water Pollution  
Making goods from recycled materials generates far less water pollution than manufacturing from virgin materials.  
 
9. Protects Wildlife  
Using recycled materials reduces the need to damage forests, wetlands, rivers and other places essential to wildlife.  
 
10. Creates New Demand  
Recycling and buying recycled products creates demand for more recycled products, decreasing waste and helping our economy.2.5.