The Future of Recycling

Since the environmental revolution of 1970’s, we have seen the national recycling rate rise to almost 33 percent. However, this still means that 55 percent of post-consumer materials end up in a landfill, and 12 percent more is still being incinerated.

Resource Recycling recently released an article reporting the results of a survey of nearly 300 domestic recycling coordinators from municipalities of all sizes about the present and future state of recycling across the U.S. Here are some highlights of what they discovered:

Recycling Rates Are Rising

Roughly 65 percent of coordinators across the country are seeing increases in the volume of recyclables as communities across the U.S. are growing. As our population expands, an increase in consumption can lead to an increase in recycling rates. And like many new social changes, recycling is embraced more by younger generations.

Reasons for Success

Several critical issues are seen as paramount to increasing the current level of community participation:

1. Consumer education
2. Political leadership
3. Government funding
4. Product stewardship
5. Market changes
6. Recycling and the global warming connection

Clearly identifying what “is” and what “is not” recyclable for residents is seen as a key to success for any prosperous collection program. If programs are not simple, residents may not be as inclined to participate. Simplification also makes the process less cumbersome and reduces the rate of contamination (throwing non-recyclable items in with recyclables), which is a major set-back for recycling.

By boosting participation and increasing the ways in which people can recycle through new collection practices and technology, the cost to run a recycling program lowers. Because of the rise in recycling rates and subsequent lower costs, landfill costs increase and organizations are given more incentive to continue to recycle.

Barriers to Success

While there is an increase in recycling rates across the country, there are still some roadblocks to overcome in the future. The state of the economy, including rising fuel costs, can hinder profitability and increase operational costs. Also, proper capital funding and lack of state and local political will can hinder a program’s growth.

Another challenge is the market value for recycled goods. For example, while it is important to recycle batteries in order to prevent toxic materials such as lead from reaching landfills, the main components are not worth much in the recycling market. Therefore, finding a program that accepts them can be difficult. However, rechargeable batteries are much more valuable for recycling, so it is often easier to find a recycling program for them.

So What’s the Bottom Line?

The future of recycling depends upon many factors. However, a few key points were named among the recycling coordinators polled that they feel would drive the future success of their programs:

• The recycling market in China
• Education about recycling
• The development of single stream services in more communities
• New technologies to convert materials into new products
• Product stewardship, such as take-back programs (especially for e-waste)
• Zero-waste initiatives

Those polled also supported various measures, such as a national e-waste law and state laws requiring a minimum municipal recycling rate.

Regardless of where recycling has been or where it’s going, improving the recycling and reuse of millions of tons of waste each year depends solely on the willingness of individuals and organizations across the country to do their part – no matter how small.