My quick calculations - Packaging values

[Trousersnake]

...Just in case people were curious. Any errors let me know. They are simple so I don't think there should be

Volumes are likely to be different to your own. I.e. Millilitres instead of fluid ounces.

Values and weights were provided by my boss who sells the stuff.

Aluminum Cans
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One Al can = 16g

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Calculation
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1000g / 16g

= 62.5

=62.5 cans to a Kg

X

1000 to make 1 tonne

= 62500 (cans to make one tonne)

$2170 (1 tonne) / 62500 cans

= 0.03472 each

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Brown Glass
------------

One Brown Glass 375ml Stubbie = 175g

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Calculation
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1000 / 175g

= 5.71 bottles to a Kg

X

1000

= 5710

$60 (1 tonne) / 5710 bottles (375ml)

= 0.01

************************************************** *****

Clear Plastic
--------------

One 1.25L Coca Cola bottle = 45g

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Calculation
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1000 / 45g

= 22 bottles to a Kg

X

1000

= 22000

$670 / 22000

= 0.03

************************************************** *****

Obscure Plastic
-----------------

One 2L Milk Container = 50g

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Calculation
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1000 / 50g

= 20 containers to a Kg

X

1000

= 20000

$570 / 20000

= 0.0285

[Trousersnake]

I actually did these calculations quickly at the beginning of September for a project of some sort.

Looking now I can't believe Al cans are worth 3 cents each when you break it down.

And things like milk containers that you throw out are worth real money too. People are actually paying to have an small investment taken away from them.

I cash my spent cans in, although I'm sure I don't get my 3c each - It's charity run they are surely getting the difference which is okay by me.

[gforce]

I know in places like france, germany and holland you can take your cans/glasses back to the shop in exchange for a few cents. If you take into account the amount of energy that goes into melting the glass, shaping it etc.. it gets a lot worse. Just a shame no one here in the UK does it :(

[RAOVQ]

yes, they may cost 3c to make, but they are not free to recycle. once you factor in collection and whatever processes are required, the profit margin may not be so clear.

[pengd0t]

yes, they may cost 3c to make, but they are not free to recycle. once you factor in collection and whatever processes are required, the profit margin may not be so clear.

Then again, the energy-cost of digging up and shipping the aluminum is subtracted...

[Trousersnake]

The costs are per item broken down to individual components. The price is what they sell for (per tonne...then broken down). These are things that come through our recycling facility.