The following chart illustrates four types of materials used in recycling between 1982 and 2010 in one nation.
Overall, it is clear that every material’s recycling rate increased over the period. Paper and cardboard were the most processed items throughout the period despite fluctuation. It is also noticeable that aluminium cans witnessed the most rapid growth.
Paper and cardboard showed fluctuation from approximately 55 percent to 70 percent before getting a moderate growth to 80 percent. After that, it experienced a stable decline and reached 70 percent in the end. However, it remained at the highest recycling point. As for glass containers, it experienced an graduate fall from roughly 50 to 40 in 8-year period before getting moderate increase in 1994. And then, reached its highest point at 60 percent.
Aluminium cans experienced a stable increase from roughly 5 percent to 20 percent between 1986 and 1998. And then, it saw the most rapid rise compared to other materials from 20 percent to around 45 percent in just 8 years. Turning to plastics, its recycling rate was the most stable from around 5 percent to just below 10 percent. However, it remained at the lowest recycling point over the whole period.
