Recycled Content (ReCon) Tool: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Recycled Content (ReCon) Tool, created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), calculates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption related to purchasing and/or manufacturing activities using analyses of baseline and alternative recycled-content scenarios.
Emissions and energy units are calculated using a life-cycle perspective (i.e., what impacts will a purchasing or manufacturing decision have on emissions and energy use throughout all stages of the product's life-cycle). The model calculates emissions in metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE), and energy consumption in British thermal units (Btus) for several material types.
The ReCon Tool is simple to use, and covers most traditional recyclable materials — papers, plastics, metals, glass, wood.
Greenhouse gases are a part of the Earth's atmosphere and are both naturally occurring and the result of human chemical processes. The most common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and chlorofluourocarbons. These gases trap heat and thus contribute to the warming of the planet. See also CFCS and GREENHOUSE EFFECT.The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.
