2019 Recycling Industry Yearbook

Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. 38 Plastics The plastic recycling industry’s total economic impact in the United States is $6 billion. At least 1 billion pounds of U.S. plastic bags and film were collected for recycling in 2017, up 54 percent since 2005. 10,000 homes for a year. Recycling 1 ton of plastic bottles reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 3,380 lbs., which is the equivalent of 173 gallons of gasoline.