HHW - Recycle: Plastic Facts

PLASTIC FACTS

Types of Plastic Packaging

A one gallon plastic milk container that weighed 120 grams in 1960 now weighs just 65 grams.

The average 1992 American car contains 300 pounds of plastic made from about 60 different resins.

Every year, we make enough plastic film to shrink-wrap the state of Texas.

10% of the average grocery bill pays for packaging (mostly paper and plastics) - that's more than goes to the farmers.

In 1993, plastics accounted for 11.5% of the U.S. municipal waste stream by weight (23.9% by volume). In 1994, plastics comprised 9.5% (by weight) of the waste stream.

The rate of plastic soda bottle recycling rose from 33% in 1990 to 50% in 1994.

0.9 million tons of plastics (4.7%) were recycled in the U.S. in 1994.

Products made from recovered plastic bottles include drainage pipes, toys, carpet, filler for pillows and sleeping bags, and cassette casings.

Recycling Page

	A one gallon plastic milk container that weighed 120 grams in 1960 now weighs just 65 grams.
	The average 1992 American car contains 300 pounds of plastic made from about 60 different resins.
	Every year, we make enough plastic film to shrink-wrap the state of Texas.
	10% of the average grocery bill pays for packaging (mostly paper and plastics) - that's more than goes to the farmers.
	In 1993, plastics accounted for 11.5% of the U.S. municipal waste stream by weight (23.9% by volume). In 1994, plastics comprised 9.5% (by weight) of the waste stream.
	The rate of plastic soda bottle recycling rose from 33% in 1990 to 50% in 1994.
	0.9 million tons of plastics (4.7%) were recycled in the U.S. in 1994.
	Products made from recovered plastic bottles include drainage pipes, toys, carpet, filler for pillows and sleeping bags, and cassette casings.