Recycling Programs Can Encourage Waste Reduction
The Availability Of Programs To Reduce Household Waste
Aug 12, 2008
The ability to recycle household goods is largely dependent on the recycling programs available in an area. Recycling programs include curbside collection, drop off centers, bottle banks, buy-back centers, deposit return schemes and manufacturers return schemes.
Curbside Recycling
According to the environmental site, Earth 911, “Curbside recycling now serves half of the U.S. population, providing the most convenient means for households to recycle a variety of materials. While all curbside programs differ, the most commonly included materials are The Big Five: aluminum cans, glass bottles, paper, plastic and steel/tin cans.” The two main types of curbside recycling are dual stream, where the householder separates the recyclable material into containers in one bin and paper in another and single stream, where both go into a single bin and are separated at the refuse center.
Pay as You Throw
Most recycling programs require householders to put some effort into recycling such as separating garbage. In the United States it has been found that issuing a charge for non-recyclable garbage encourages the take-up of recycling programs.
The US EPA “Pay as You Throw: Basic Information” websites states, “In communities with pay-as-you-throw programs (also known as unit pricing or variable-rate pricing), residents are charged for the collection of municipal solid waste—ordinary household trash—based on the amount they throw away. This creates a direct economic incentive to recycle more and to generate less waste.” It goes on to say that PAYT is inherently fair in that it prevents responsible people who do recycle from subsidizing those that do not bother to recycle.
Drop Off Centers
Drop off centers are places where residents can carry their recyclable garbage if their areas does not provide and adequate curbside recycling program. The US EPA publication “Cutting the Waste Stream in Half:Community Record-Setters Show How” states on page 24, “While curbside collection is generally a more effective way to maximize the amount of recyclable materials collected, drop-off collection can augment curbside and serve as the primary method of recyclables collection in rural communities in which residents self-haul trash.”
Bottle Banks
Similar to Drop Off Centers except limited to bottles. Bottles are separated according to color, usually Clear, Green and Other. Bottle banks are over 30 years old and have proved to be a great success in recycling glass. A report from UK Reuters, published on June 6 2007, entitled “Big British bottle bank birthday” says that 30 years ago, Stanley Rice by setting up Britain’s first bottle bank. Over 23 billion bottles have been recycled in Britain over the last 30 years.
Problems With Recycling Programs
Within the United States, some areas are slower than others to provide recycling facilities. A report in the New York Times of July 29, 2008 by Adam B. Ellick states that “Houston recycles just 2.6 percent of its total waste, according to a study this year by Waste News, a trade magazine. By comparison, San Francisco and New York recycle 69 percent and 34 percent of their waste respectively.” The United States itself lags behind other countries in recycling. A press release by IBISWorld, titled “Cashing in on Climate Change”, published on the May 25, 2008, it states that Americans only recycle 32% of their MSW, while Germany and Norway recycle or compost up to 70%.
Many materials can be recycled and most people seem willing to partake in recycling programs if they are available in their area. With new technology and greater public awareness recycling programs could contribute greatly to the reduction of greenhouse gases and conservation of materials and energy.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
