We’ve Found the Most Recycled Material of 2009
Earth911.com released the results of its 2009 Annual Recycling Report, with electronics such as computers, batteries and televisions topping the list of most recycled materials.
“Electronics have always been popular searches on Earth911.com, but with the increased attention these devices have received, this past year was our highest yet,” said Corey Lambrecht, president of Earth911. “Also, overall recycling searches increased 12 percent over 2008, as consumers want to know more about how to dispose of these items.”
The top 10 products consumers looked to recycle in 2009 using Earth911’s Database were:
Some states were more active for recycling searches than others. Of the top 10 states that searched for information on Earth911.com, California residents amounted to almost 30 percent.
- Computers
- Batteries
- Televisions
- Paint
- Aluminum Cans
- Used Motor Oil
- CFLs
- Glass
- Fluorescent Lamps
- Christmas Trees
Earth911.com also discovered additional insights into recycling and consumer behavior. For example, 40 percent of respondents to a poll conducted on the Earth911.com homepage noted that when they buy a product, the “green” factor they are most concerned about is its recyclability. Also, 35 percent of Earth911 readers polled responded that their main challenge for adopting more green practices is money.
“Our Database of over 117,000 locations not only helps people find what’s available to them locally, but also is also distributed across multimedia platforms for the easiest access possible – at no cost to consumers,” said Lambrecht. “Along with Earth911.com, we also host our bilingual, toll-free hot line, 1-800 CLEANUP, as well as our free mobile app, iRecycle®.”
Earth911is able to provide this information through work with its business partners such as Call2Recycle, the American Chemistry Council and Masco Corporation.
The 2009 Annual Recycling Report also details the top 10 states that recycled using Earth911.com in 2009, as well as the top stories on the site.
If your city, municipality or organization runs a recycling program and would like to be listed in Earth911’s Directory, please visit Earth911.com.
As of June 17th 2011 we have upgraded our comment system to use Facebook comments.
The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Maurizio Maranghi
posted on February 8th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
I simply find it very hard to believe that people recycle Christmas trees more than they recycle paper (annualy). Recycling is imperative and we must recycle everything.
- Maurizio Maranghi -
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Jennifer Berry
posted on February 8th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Hi Maurizio,
I agree with your statement – recycling paper is definitely higher than recycling Christmas trees. This report didn’t assess what people actually recycled, rather what they looked to recycle. This means that people searched more on our site for Christmas trees than other materials, like paper. I hope that clears it up!
Thanks!
wallis Parnelle
posted on February 9th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
I find it interesting that some companies declared themselves going green and still stock un-recyclable plastics, when they don’t have to. One company, that I see is, Good Plastics, just cheap flimsy plastic containers, that easily break, and not recyclable. Wonder if there is anyone addressing these companies, and asking simple questions about these products, like, “Why are you selling this junk?”
Paul DeMasi
posted on February 15th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Hi fellow recyclers!
Does anyone here know where I can get the price for recycled aluminum cans? Even if it is weekly or monthly.
I would also love to know where to recycle electronic devices such as computers, tv’s, radios and CD players. They all contain those green colored mother boards full of electronic components that seem a waste to just throw away.
Thank You,
Paul, SE. FL.
tim
posted on February 16th, 2010 at 5:12 am
Paul DeMassi, google salvage aluminum and you will find the prices for your cans, in VA it is running around 30 cents a lb. It took me a while but the word salvage seemed to do the trick for me. Good luck.
Megan
posted on February 17th, 2010 at 11:07 am
I believe that this report should also include anything that involves vehicle recycling and the government’s C.A.R.S. (Cash for Clunkers) program. I would believe that this was one of the most searched recycled product of 2009.
Matt Saling
posted on February 26th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Hey Paul DeMasi,
This site (Earth911.com) allows you to search for recycling locations near you. Just use the big green box at the top of the page or visit http://search.earth911.com/?what=electronics
aegdf
posted on April 20th, 2010 at 8:50 am
The title and line “topping the list of most recycled materials” are factually wrong. Not in a subtle way but completely misleading. The “report” was the statistics of what people searched for on a Web site. To call it actual acts recycling is untrue.