Recycling Facts

Plastic

• PET plastic (number 1) is recycled to make a product called ‘eco-fleece’ that is used to stuff pillows, doonas, ski-suits and sleeping bags. It can also be woven for use in synthetic carpet.
• Approximately 88% of the energy is saved by producing plastic from plastic as opposed to plastic from the raw materials of oil and gas.
• Plastic containers are recycled into plastic lumber for picnic tables and park benches, carpet fibre, clothing, automotive parts, paint brushes, and more plastic bottles.
• It takes 125 recycled plastic milk bottles to manufacture a 140 litre wheelie bin from recycled plastic.

Aluminium

• 95% less energy is needed to make aluminium from used cans rather than from the raw material bauxite.
• Every aluminium can recycled saves enough electricity to light a 100 watt bulb for 3.5 hours.
• Aluminium cans and aluminium scrap are recycled into new aluminium products including aeroplanes, cars, and more cans.