2. A recycling plant processes an average of \( \frac{1}{3} \) ton of glass each minute. At approximately what rate does the recycling plant process glass, in tons per day? ( 1 day \( =24 \) hours) A. 20 B. 180 C. 480 D. 4,320

The recycling plant processes glass at a rate of \( \frac{1}{3} \) ton per minute. To find the rate per day, you'll multiply this rate by the total number of minutes in a day. There are \( 24 \) hours in a day and \( 60 \) minutes in an hour, so: \[ \text{Total minutes per day} = 24 \times 60 = 1,440 \text{ minutes} \] Now multiply the rate by the number of minutes: \[ \text{Glass processed in a day} = \frac{1}{3} \text{ ton/min} \times 1,440 \text{ min} = 480 \text{ tons} \] So the plant processes approximately 480 tons of glass in a day. The correct answer is C. 480. Now let's add a bit more to this topic! Recycling plants not only help in reducing waste but also play a pivotal role in conserving natural resources. By processing recyclable materials like glass, they can significantly cut down the need for raw materials and energy needed for production, creating a more sustainable future for everyone. For those interested in the environmental impact, consider diving deeper into the benefits of recycling glass specifically. Did you know recycling glass uses 40% less energy compared to producing new glass from raw materials? This energy efficiency also translates into a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions! So, every bottle and jar recycled counts!