FACTS ABOUT GLASS, STEEL & ALUMINUM Glass Recycling Glass containers are 100% recyclables and recovered glass is used as the majority ingredient in new glass containers. One recycled glass container saves enough energy to light a 100 watt bulb for 4 hours. Every ton of glass that is recycled results in one tone of raw materials saved to process new glass - including 1,300 pounds of sand, 410 pounds of soda ash and 380 pounds of limestone. Steel Recycling Americans use 100 million steel cans every day. Recycling steel saves 75% of the energy that would be used to create steel from raw materials, enough to power 18 million homes. A ton of recycled steel saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone. Aluminum Recycling Discovered in the 1820's, aluminum is the most abundant metal on earth. A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf as a new can, in as little as 60 days. Make new aluminum cans from used cans takes 95% less energy and 20 recycled cans can be made with the energy needed to produce one can using virgin ore. For a copy of the above document to print, click here.   If you would like other documents on Facts & Trivia, click on one of the links below. Good Reasons to Recycle Tips for Recycling Tire Facts Did You Know? Eco-Statistics Gee Whiz Facts Fun Recycling Facts Recycling Facts on Metals, Paper, Plastic/Styrofoam, Glass, Trash/Landfills & Miscellaneous