Extracting and processing raw resources (wood, oil, ore) to make usable materials (paper, plastic, metal) requires a lot of energy. Recycling often saves energy because the products being recycled usually require much less processing to turn them into usable materials.

Exactly how much energy is saved depends on the material in question. Let’s take two examples: glass and aluminum.

In 2017, total energy use per person (“per capita consumption”) in the United States was 300 million British thermal units (Btu).^1,2 32% of this was from industrial use, 29% from transportation, 20% from residential use, and 18% from commercial use.¹ Per-person energy use in the United States decreased by 10.7% from 2007 to 2017.³

For comparison, here is the 2015 per-person energy use (in million Btu) for a selection of other countries:⁴

Energy Information Administration FAQs:

"You can access the most recent available data on the types and amounts of energy produced in each state in the following resources:

Energy Information Administration FAQs:

"In 2017, emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) by the U.S. electric power sector were 1,744 million metric tons, or about 34% of the total U.S. energy-related CO₂ emissions of 5,140 million metric tons.¹

CO₂ emissions from U.S. electric power sector by source, 2017

Energy Information Administration's "Energy Explained" series: Energy in the United States and How the United States Uses Energy

Energy Sources in the United States

"The three major fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—combined accounted for about 77.6% of the U.S. primary energy production in 2017:

Energy Information Administration FAQs:

"In 2016, world total primary energy consumption was about 572.8 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu). U.S. primary consumption was about 97.5 quadrillion Btu, equal to 17% of world total primary energy consumption."

Energy Information Administration FAQs:

"Different fuels emit different amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in relation to the energy they produce when burned. To analyze emissions across fuels, compare the amount of CO₂ emitted per unit of energy output or heat content.

Pounds of CO₂ emitted per million British thermal units (Btu) of energy for various fuels: