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Recycling
Overview
Recycling is a series of activities that includes collecting recyclable
materials that would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing
recyclables into raw materials such as fibers, and manufacturing raw materials
into new products.
Recycling Process
Collecting and processing secondary materials, manufacturing recycled-content
products, and then purchasing recycled products creates a circle or loop
that ensures the overall success and value of recycling.
Step 1. Collection and Processing
Collecting recyclables varies from community to community, but there
are four primary methods: curbside, drop-off centers, buy-back centers,
and deposit/refund programs.
Regardless of the method used to collect the recyclables, the next
leg of their journey is usually the same. Recyclables are sent to a
materials recovery facility to be sorted and prepared into marketable
commodities for manufacturing. Recyclables are bought and sold just
like any other commodity, and prices for the materials change and fluctuate
with the market.
Step 2. Manufacturing
Once cleaned and separated, the recyclables are ready to undergo the
second part of the recycling loop. More and more of today's products
are being manufactured with total or partial recycled content. Common
household items that contain recycled materials include newspapers and
paper towels; aluminum, plastic, and glass soft drink containers; steel
cans; and plastic laundry detergent bottles. Recycled materials also
are used in innovative applications such as recovered glass in roadway
asphalt (glassphalt) or recovered plastic in carpeting, park benches,
and pedestrian bridges.
Step 3. Purchasing Recycled Products
Purchasing recycled products completes the recycling loop. By "buying
recycled," governments, as well as businesses and individual consumers,
each play an important role in making the recycling process a success.
As consumers demand more environmentally sound products, manufacturers
will continue to meet that demand by producing high-quality recycled
products. Click here to learn more about recycling
terminology and to find tips on identifying recycled products.
Recycling Facts and Figures
Opportunities
For recycling to work, everyone has to participate in each phase of the
loop. From government and industry, to organizations, small businesses,
and people at home, every American can make recycling a part of their
daily routine. Below are some ways in which businesses, local governments,
and citizens can get involved:
Businesses
Local Governments
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Improve the efficiency of your collection program. An EPA
resource entitled Getting
More for Less: Improving Collection Efficiency [Adobe PDF,
880 KB, about PDF]
(EPA530-R-99-038) explains several important strategies for improving
efficiency as well as case studies of communities that have reaped
the benefits of improved solid waste collection.
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Practice full cost accounting (FCA). Visit the FCA
Web site for more information on using FCA to assist with identifying
and assessing the costs of solid waste management.
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Identify opportunities to increase recycling rates. Visit
Pennsylvania's
Web site
for examples of local government projects in Pennsylvania to help
meet or exceed the state's 35 percent recycling goal. Also, view EPA's
guidance on measuring the success of your state or local recycling
program.
Citizens
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Recycle at home. Find out if there is a recycling program
in your community. If so, participate in the program by separating
and putting out your recyclables for curbside pickup or taking them
to your local drop-off or buy-back center.
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Shop smarter. Use products in containers that can be recycled
in your community and items that can be repaired or reused. Also,
support recycling markets by buying and using products made from recycled
materials.
Related Links
Programs
Publications
Organizations
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Aluminum Association
900 19th St. NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202 862-5100
Fax: 202 862-5164
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American
Forest and Paper Association
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202 463-2700
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American Plastics Council
1801 K Street, NW, Suite 701-L
Washington, DC 20006-1301
Phone: 800-2-HELP-90
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Association of Postconsumer
Plastic Recyclers
1300 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: 703- 741-5578
Fax: 703-741-5646
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Glass Packaging Institute
740 East 52nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone: 317 283-1603
Fax: 317 923-9906
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Institute for Local Self-Reliance
2425 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202 232-4108
Fax: 202 332-0463
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Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries
1325 G Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202 737-1770
Fax: 202 626-0900
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National Recycling Coalition
1727 King Street, Suite 105
Alexandria, VA 22314-2720
Phone: 703 683-9025
Fax: 703 683-9026
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Polystyrene Packaging Council
1801 K Street NW, Suite 600K
Washington, DC 20006-1301
Phone: 202 974-5321
Fax: 202 296-7354
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Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation
1000 Parkwood Circle
Suite 450
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: 678-419-9990
Fax: 678-419-9986
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Steel Recycling Institute
680 Andersen Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2700
Phone: 412 922-2772, 800 876-7274
Fax: 412 922-3213
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Other related
solid waste organizations.
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