The Twin Cities metro area collects enough recyclables each year to equal the weight of about four large cruise ships.

Questions about what happens to recycling after it leaves homes have been increasing over the years. Six metro counties are working together to restore trust in Minnesota's recycling system with this united message: In Minnesota, recycling exists.

With the holidays bringing an increase in waste, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties want residents to know that recycling is real and it works.

In Minnesota, recycled items become new products, locally and regionally, when recycling is done right. Minnesota is home to many recycling facilities that collect, sort, process and manufacture items made from the bottles, boxes and other containers residents put in their home recycling bins every day.

Glass bottles and jars are sorted by color in St. Paul. Clear glass is sent to Shakopee to make bottles for drinks, pickles, salad dressing, and more.

Plastic milk and laundry detergent jugs are made into durable decking, fencing and landscaping products in Paynesville, and plastic drink bottles and produce containers are made into new plastic bottles in Wisconsin and Ohio.

Recycled paper and cardboard are made into cereal and cracker boxes in St. Paul.

Recycled food cans are made into new products, such as wire, and parts for cars and appliances in the Midwest.

Local efforts to recycle and reduce waste save energy, protect resources and support about 78,000 jobs in the state. Annually, the Twin Cities metro area recycles an average of 900,000 tons of paper and cardboard, metal, glass and plastic – that’s the weight of about four large cruise ships.

Learn more at RecyclingExists.com.