How Does Recycling Save Energy?

Recycling saves energy because the manufacturer doesn't have to create the material from “raw” ingredients. Normally plastics, aluminum, paper and other recyclable material have to be produced from raw material. This means the raw material has to be harvested, extracted and processed, which is a very intensive process using high-energy consumption. By using recycled materials we save on energy consumption, which not only helps keep production costs down but saves on energy costs, too. In fact it is projected that in 2005, recycling will save 900 trillion BTUs, this is equal to the annual energy use of 9 million households. Saving energy now will help keep future costs down thus saving everyone money.