Earlier quoted context omitted.
It may be condescending, but I would be astounded if the majority of Americans could estimate the value of 1000kg in lbs within an order of magnitude.
"About the same as a normal ton" is well within an order of magnitude. Besides, we're not talking about average Americans, we're talking about the subset who would bother to read about how much zinc Apple recycled last year.
Again, I would be surprised if the majority of Americans would come up with "about the same as a normal ton" - I suspect the majority of Americans wouldn't know that there is such thing as a metric ton, much less how it relates to kilograms. It's really an alien way of thinking for anyone outside of mildly-technical professions/hobbies.
Based on your comment 'as an American', I was responding with my perspective on the entire class of people, not a subset.