Are you looking to recycle a large quantity of waste? You're not alone. Recycling has become an integral part of our efforts to reduce waste and minimize our environmental footprint. You can recycle materials on your own or with services, such as dumpster rental services. It's a practice that has gained widespread acceptance and support in recent years, with communities and individuals across the United States actively participating in recycling programs. That said, what exactly is the most commonly recycled waste in the United States? Here are the various types of recyclable materials that are recycled the most.

Paper and Cardboard

One of the most commonly recycled materials in the U.S. is paper and cardboard. These materials are widely used in our daily lives, from packaging to printed materials. Thanks to the ease of collection and the robust infrastructure in place for paper recycling, including dumpster rental services, it consistently ranks as a top recycled material. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), paper and cardboard make up approximately 23% of the materials recycled in the U.S. annually. In our experience, newspaper waste is an especially common type of junk dumpsters end up carrying. Flattened cardboard boxes are also precisely as common as you'd expect them to be, these days.

There are all kinds of reasons to go out of our way to recycle these two increasingly common materials. Paper and cardboard recycling not only reduces the demand for virgin materials but also conserves energy. Every ton of paper recycled can save 17 trees, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, and 7,000 gallons of water, according to the EPA. Moreover, recycling paper uses less energy than making paper from scratch, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. These facts alone are enough for us to consider the effort worth it.

Plastic

While plastic is ubiquitous in our modern lives, it presents a significant recycling challenge. Various types of plastics exist, and not all are easily recyclable. This complexity leads to lower recycling rates for plastic compared to materials like paper. The EPA reports that plastic is recycled at a rate of roughly 8%, which is a far cry from the rates of recycling for paper or cardboard. The low recycling rate for plastic highlights the importance of reducing plastic consumption and choosing alternatives that are more environmentally friendly. Efforts to improve plastic recycling, such as increased education on recycling symbols and the development of better recycling technologies, are ongoing.

Aluminum and Metal

Aluminum and metal containers are among the most efficiently recycled materials. Aluminum cans, in particular, have a remarkable recycling rate of approximately 49% according to the aforementioned report, making them one of the top contenders for the most recycled material in the United States. The lightweight nature of aluminum makes it cost-effective to transport and recycle, contributing to its high recycling rates. Recycling aluminum and metal not only conserves natural resources but also saves a significant amount of energy. The Aluminum Association states that recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than creating aluminum from raw materials. This energy efficiency is a compelling reason why aluminum recycling is so widely practiced.

Glass

Glass is another common material that finds its way into recycling bins across the country. Although glass recycling rates are lower than those of materials like aluminum and paper, they are steadily increasing. Glass recycling can be particularly beneficial because it is infinitely recyclable without any loss in quality or purity. The recycling process for glass involves melting down the material to create new glass products, which conserves both energy and natural resources. With continued efforts to promote glass recycling and the use of recycled glass in various products, its recycling rates are expected to rise.

According to Recycle Track Systems, paper, paper products, and cardboard are among the most frequently recycled types of municipal solid waste in the United States. However, they aren't the only types of waste that can be recycled. Metal, glass, plastic, and electronic waste are also common types of materials that get recycled. One of the best and easiest ways to recycle material is to use dumpster rental services for your recyclable goods. If you're interested in learning more, contact our team at AAA Carting today.