The given line graph illustrates recycling rates of four different materials (Paper & cardboard, Glass containers, Aluminium cans and Plastic) in percentage from 1982 to 2002.
Paper & cardboard was the most recycled material (65%) out of all the four materials in 1982.After slight increase in the first 4 years to 70% it got back to 65% in 1990. Post 1990 it saw a rapid increase till 1994 to 80%. From the period of 1994-2010 Paper & cardboards saw an overall trend of gradual decline, it was at 7-% in 2010. Glass containers were recycled at 50% in 1982 but had constant decrease till 1990 to 40%. However, over the period of next 4 years it grew sharply to 50%. Then on the contrary to Paper & cardboard, Glass containers climbed at a constant rate to 60% from 1994-2010.
Aluminum cans started recycling in post 1982 at 5% but expanded at moderate rate till 2002 and reached at 25%. For the next 8 years it had steep increase and reached at 45%. The last material Plastic started recycling in 1990 at less than 5%. Unlike all the other material it did not see any significant increase or decrease. It had a very steady increase till 2010 to around 9%
Overall Aluminum cans grew exponentially, while Paper & Cardboards and Glass containers saw both rise and fall. Plastic had a flattened increase.