It reduces the release of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants, conserves energy, provides valuable raw materials to industry, creates jobs, supports the development of greener technologies, conserves resources for our children's future, and reduces the need for new landfills and incinerators/ combustors.

Its only real drawback: recycled products can sometimes cost more than their virgin counterparts. Although recycling makes far more sense from an economic, industrial and environmental perspective, the extraction industry is heavily subsidized by taxpayers. That forces recycled products to compete on an unlevel playing field in the marketplace. By purchasing products with recycled content, we are doing our part to help maintain market demand for recyclables and ensuring the continuation of recycling programs everywhere. If consumers purchase more products with recycled content, manufacturers will continue to use it in their products and expand the usage to even more products.

Acceptable plastics 
Some types of plastics come with special recycling challenges, which limit the market for them. Most plastics carry a recycling symbol even if they can't be recycled where you live. While this may be misleading, the symbol is meant to indicate the type of plastic, not its recyclability. Remember, any non-recyclable plastic that you leave at a drop-off center or in your curbside bin will be landfilled. In some cases, doing this can “contaminate” a whole load of recyclables. So, please don't try. Recycle only acceptable plastics through your curbside program or at the drop-off center. Check your local recycling service center to find out what's recyclable in your area.