It is estimated that 90 billion plastic carry-out bags are produced annually in the United States. In recent years, the number of tons of plastic bags that are recycled has grown exponentially from approximately 80,000 tons in 1996 to 380,000 tons in 2007. (Source: Environmental Protection Agency) The following exponential function models the amount recycled, in tons:
R(x) = 80,000(1.1522)x,
Where x is the number of years since 1996 find the total amount recycled, in tons, in 1999, in 2007, and in 2012. Then use the function to estimate the total number of tons that will be recycled in 2012.