A single bale of crushed aluminum cans can fetch up to $40,000, subsidizing curbside recycling programs nationwide.
Aluminum remains the most valuable material in household recycling bins. In late 2024, a ton of baled cans sold for around $1,338, far exceeding the near-zero value of glass or the handling costs of mixed plastics. This revenue allows material recovery facilities to process other items that would otherwise lose money.
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South Korea's government urged the public on Monday not to worry about shortages of standard plastic garbage bags amid the Middle East conflict disrupting naphtha supplies. Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-hwan stated in a Facebook post that all necessary measures have been taken. Hoarding has emerged recently due to a sharp rise in polyethylene prices, a key material for the bags.
With global e-waste reaching 62 million metric tons in 2022, individuals can extend the life of old electrical wires and cables through various recycling and reuse methods. Programs from retailers, manufacturers, and local facilities offer convenient ways to prevent these items from entering landfills. Valuable metals like copper and aluminum in cables contribute to resource recovery worth billions annually.
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Workers at U.S. material recovery facilities (MRFs) encountered heightened dangers in recent years, with nine fatalities in 2023 and rising fire incidents linked to lithium-ion batteries. The fatality rate for refuse and recycling collectors increased over 80% that year, ranking the job fourth most dangerous in the country. Proper household recycling practices can help mitigate these hazards.
Potato chip bags, made of seven bonded layers of plastic and metal, cannot be recycled by any U.S. system. Flexible packaging like these pouches is the fastest-growing waste material, with recycling rates below 2 percent. New state policies aim to shift costs to producers.
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Garbage accumulation in Matanzas, Cuba, has shifted from occasional to a permanent urban feature, worsened by a fuel crisis cutting waste collection frequency. Residents burn trash piles to fend off pests, producing toxic smoke. Violeta González, 75, collects aluminum cans from dumps daily to make ends meet.
Earth911 has released an updated buyer's guide for sustainable roofing materials in 2026, highlighting eco-friendly options and recent industry advancements. The guide evaluates common materials like asphalt shingles and metal roofs based on longevity, energy efficiency, and recycling practices. It notes key changes since 2019, including the end of the ENERGY STAR roofing program and progress in shingle recycling.