Economic Benefits of Recycling:

• The recycling industry has a $6.5 billion impact on the states economy.  (Studies by College of Charleston Dept. of Economics and Finance.)
• The recycling industry is directly responsible for over 15,000 jobs and $69 million in tax revenue each year in SC.
• Recycling helps avoid disposal costs and has become cost-competitive with disposal options.

Environmental Benefits of Recycling:

• SC recycled more than 1.55 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2007.  This results in an environmental impact equivalent to eliminating electricity usage by 1,733,032 households for one year, or 110,658 acres of forest preserved, or conserving 1,537,622,535 gallons of gasoline. (Fiscal year July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007)
• When one ton of steel is recycled, 2,500 lbs. of iron ore, 1,400 lbs. of coal, and 120 lbs. of limestone are conserved.
• Recycled paper supplies more than 37% of the raw materials used to make new paper products.
• It takes 95% less energy to make aluminum from recycled aluminum than it does from virgin materials, 70% less energy to make recycled plastic, 60% less energy to make recycled steel, and 40% less energy to make recycled newspaper.

(All facts are taken from SCDHEC at www.scdhec.gov/recycle)