Benefits of a Resource Recovery Park
Reduces flow of discarded materials to landfill, and extends life of landfill.
Keeps dollars at home through local jobs and businesses.
Reduces ecological footprint of Alachua County by reducing greenhouse gases, energy use, water use and resource use.
| Table 1: Environmental Benefits of Recycling |
|
Aluminum |
Steel |
Paper |
Glass |
| Energy Use |
90-97% |
47-74% |
23-74% |
4-32% |
| Air Pollution |
95% |
85% |
74% |
20% |
| Water Pollution |
97% |
76% |
35% |
|
| Mining Wastes |
97% |
80% |
|
|
| Water Use |
40% |
58% |
50% |
|
| Source: Robert Cowles Lechter and Mary T. Sheil, "Source Separation and Citizen Recycling." in William D. Robinson, Ed. The Solid Waste Handbook. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1986. |
| Table 2: Estimated Environmental Value per Ton Diverted from Landfill to Recycling or Composting |
| Recycled Materials |
Environmental Value Per Ton |
| Newspaper |
$299 |
| Cardboard |
424 |
| Mixed Paper |
152 |
| Glass Containers |
56 |
| PET Plastic Containers |
580 |
| HDPE Plastic Containers |
203 |
| Other Plastic Containers |
203 |
| Plastic Film & Bags |
203 |
| Aluminum Cans |
1,458 |
| Tin-plated Steel Cans |
65 |
| Ferrous Scrap |
65 |
| Composted Materials |
|
| Yard Debris |
$35 |
| Food Scraps |
65 |
| Untreated Wood |
20 |
| Source: Jeffrey Morris, Ph.D., 2007 |