WorksheetsRecycling in the U.S.
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
Approximately what percentage of Americans say they recycle regularly?
25%
45%
65%
80%
Which material has the highest recycling rate in the U.S.?
Aluminum cans
Plastic bottles
Glass containers
Paper products
Which type of plastic is most commonly recycled in the U.S.?
#1 PET (like water bottles)
#3 PVC
#4 LDPE
#6 PS (polystyrene/Styrofoam)
Which of the following is least likely to be recycled in curbside programs?
Steel cans
Cardboard
Plastic bags
Glass bottles
What is the estimated U.S. recycling rate for all municipal solid waste?
10%
24%
32%
50%
What major international event in 2018 severely impacted U.S. recycling exports?
Global Recycle Ban
Green Earth Treaty
What is a major cause of recycling contamination in the U.S.?
Including glass with plastic
Placing non-recyclable items in bins
Recycling clean containers
Putting cardboard in compost
What percentage of recyclable materials are estimated to be contaminated and thus sent to landfills?
5%
10%
25%
50%
Which of the following is considered a contaminant in most recycling programs?
Empty aluminum cans
Greasy pizza boxes
Clean glass jars
Shredded office paper
What is the best way to prevent contamination in recycling?
Wash all items with soap
Mix recyclables and trash together
“Wish-cycle” questionable items
Follow local recycling guidelines
What does “wish-cycling” refer to?
Hoping your items get recycled
Recycling only on special days
Placing non-recyclables in bins hoping they get recycled
Cycling to the recycling center
What material has the lowest recycling rate in the U.S.?
Plastic
Paper
Metal
Glass
How many tons of municipal solid waste does the U.S. generate per year (as of latest data)?
50 million tons
146 million tons
292 million tons
500 million tons
What percentage of plastics in the U.S. are actually recycled?
9%
15%
30%
50%
Why are black plastic containers often not recycled?
They are toxic
They melt too easily
Recycling machines can’t detect them
They’re too expensive to transport
What should you do with plastic bags and film?
Put them in the regular recycling bin
Compost them
Drop them off at designated store collection bins
Burn them
What common misconception do many Americans have about recycling?
All plastics are recyclable
Recycling is mandatory
Glass can never be recycled
Paper is not recyclable
Why are items like garden hoses, ropes, and wires called "tanglers"?
They tangle up recyclers’ schedules
They tangle and jam recycling machinery
They must be bundled to recycle
They’re difficult to identify
Which of the following can usually be recycled curbside?
Paper coffee cups
Aluminum foil (clean)
Styrofoam takeout boxes
Plastic utensils
Which of these actions reduces contamination in recycling bins?
Putting everything in one bag
Leaving liquids inside bottles
Emptying and rinsing containers
Mixing food scraps with recyclables
