Closing the Recycling Loop

Most Americans help the recycling effort by putting materials in their recycling bin or taking them to a drop-off center. Unfortunately, most people do not realize that this is only part of of the recycling process. Each arrow in the "chasing arrow" recycling symbol represents one step in the three step process that completes the recycling loop.
The first step is the collection of material for processing. The second step is the maufacturing process which converts the recyclables into new products for consumers. The third step is where you, the consumer, purchases products made with recycled content. When you "buy recycled," you complete the loop.
A recycling symbol does not necessarily mean that the a product is made with recycled content. Read the label carefully and choose the product with the highest perentage of "post-consumer recycled content."
Five materials that always contain a significant amount of recycled material are: steel cans, aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, molded pulp containers, and paper products.
By purchasing recycled-content products, you are doing your part to help maintain consumer demand for recyclables and to ensure the continuation of recycling programs everywhere.