Trash to Treasure: 50 Remarkable Facts About Recycling and Sustainability

A surprising 45% of drywall in the US is sourced from waste generated by coal-burning electric plants, utilizing gypsum, which is 100% recyclable.

27. The term "shoddy" originated during the Civil War, when rushed uniform production led to the use of recycled wool products called shoddy. It fell apart in the rain or after a couple of weeks of wear, and so it quickly became synonymous with poor quality and workmanship.

28. The EU mandates that soda makers incorporate tethered caps, ensuring a higher rate of recycling.

29. TerraCycle, an innovative company, specializes in recycling items considered non-recyclable, including cigarette butts, dirty diapers, and chewing gum.

30. During the early penicillin era, the drug was so scarce and so highly valued that it became common to collect the urine of patients being treated so that the penicillin in the urine could be isolated and reused.

The Liters of Light project brightens windowless homes in the Philippines and beyond without electricity by using recycled plastic bottles filled with water and bleach, effectively mimicking a 60-watt bulb.

32. IG-88, the iconic bounty hunter droid from Star Wars, was ingeniously crafted from recycled film props, with its head originally being a Mos Eisley Cantina drink dispenser.

33. Since 1994, the US has repurposed the uranium from 18,000 nuclear warheads into energy.

34. An organization recycles used hotel soap and distributes the resulting product to impoverished individuals globally.

35. Sweden's ReTuna mall exclusively features recycled, reused, or sustainably produced items. Even major brands like Ikea refurbish and resell old products within the mall.

In a notable instance of historical recycling, NYC repurposed a lead statue of King George III into bullets during the American Revolution in 1776.

37. US astronauts aboard the International Space Station drink recycled urine and sweat for hydration, whereas Russian astronauts abstain from this practice.

38. Hungarian engineers ingeniously repurposed a Russian T-34 tank with two Mig-21 engines to combat oil well fires. Aptly named "Big Wind," this innovative solution injected water into the exhaust to extinguish fires.

39. In 1944, the US Mint made cents out of recycled brass shells spent in the war effort. Steel was used in 1943, but due to complaints over confusion between the steel cent and coins like the dime, the mint was pressured to make this creative change the following year.

40. There's a school in the Philippines that's made entirely out of recycled pop bottles.

Most of the trains in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, are actually reused trains from the Berlin metro.

42. About 95% of Scottish single-malt whisky matures in former bourbon barrels. These barrels, governed by American laws requiring single-use, become readily available for reuse, often infusing the whisky with notes of vanilla, caramel, or nuts.

43. Upon the European debut of the printing press in the 15th century, numerous old texts found new life as binding material for newer books. In 2015, Leiden University researchers unveiled these concealed texts using x-ray techniques, some dating back a remarkable 1,300 years.

44. Repurposed car tires find a unique function as soft flooring in cow sheds, enhancing cow comfort and ultimately promoting higher milk production.

45. Outside select South London housing estates, railings and fences are ingeniously crafted from recycled World War II stretchers.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, an enigmatic statue of former President Kabila, attributed to North Korea, features a body and attire that bear a striking resemblance to Kim Jong-Il. It is probable that North Korea recycled a statue of Kim Jong-Il and simply replaced the head with Kabila's.

47. NASA's original moon landing recording has vanished, been overwritten, and been repurposed. This revelation came to light in 2006, when NASA confirmed the loss.

48. To be more environmentally friendly, an artificial Christmas tree must be reused for over 20 years, surpassing the ecological impact of annual fresh-cut tree purchases.

49. In the 18th and 19th centuries, antimony pills were used as laxatives, persisting intact after ingestion. These pills were repurposed, reused, and even passed down as heirlooms.

50. During the Great Depression, clothing was ingeniously fashioned from reused flour and feed bags. Manufacturers responded by printing diverse patterns on these sacks to cater to this innovative trend.