California Reaches Over 50% Waste Diversion
The nation’s most populated state reused or recycled 54 million tons of trash in 2008, which represented a 58 percent waste diversion rate that surpassed the nationally imposed mandate of 50 percent. Annually, California produces about 93 million tons of solid waste per year.
Recycling produced over $4 billion in salaries and wages in California in 2008, according to the CIWMB.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) made the announcement, and said it is thanks to the efforts of nearly 500 cities, counties and regional programs that promote recycling, composting and proper disposal of hazardous waste. The recycling industry in California produced $10 billion worth of goods and services last year and accounted for 85,000 jobs, according to the CIWMB.
At a national level, the waste diversion rate is around 32 percent. The U.S. EPA estimates that about 75 percent of the waste we produce is actually recyclable, but that doesn’t mean all these products will be accepted everywhere.
Recycling goals have been a hot topic lately, with everyone from industries to manufacturers to individual states setting new goals. Looking to help out your city? The first step is finding out where you can recycle.
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