Eunomia Research & Consulting and Ball Corporation have recently launched an updated version of their "50 States of Recycling" report. This report is a unique and comprehensive assessment of common packaging materials in every state of the United States.
It evaluates the generation, recycling, and disposal rates of these materials by utilizing data from various sources. The latest version of this report is an informative guide for policymakers, industries, and individuals to make informed decisions regarding recycling practices and waste management.
Primary markers of the report have been listed below:
The "50 States of Recycling" report shows that recycling rates in the US have stagnated or declined since the last iteration, with several factors contributing to the decline, including the pandemic-related shutdowns of many recycling centres. The report suggests implementing policies such as Recycling Refunds and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to achieve higher recycling rates and maximize closed-loop recycling, which would deliver social, environmental, and economic benefits for the US. Increasing the recycling rate closer to 90% by 2030 would create opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and grow the economy.
The Director, Eunomia North America, Sarah Edwards, exclaimed: "The recycling rates in our report represent the real recycling—versus collection—rate, meaning this rate is not what is collected for recycling, but rather what is available to be made into new products. Recycling rates in many states are still measured in terms of what is collected for recycling, so to enable a 'like for like' comparison between states, the collection rates have been adjusted to show the real recycling rate. Having a true assessment of recycling rates will better enable us to understand what policy and program measures are needed to capture more quality material, increasing circularity, reducing our need for virgin materials and thus helping protect the planet.”
Rate of recycling as per the "50 States of Recycling" report:
The top ten states with the highest recycling rates (excluding FFP) in 2021 are Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Iowa, Oregon, New York, California, Michigan, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The top three states with the highest recycling rates are Maine (65%), Vermont (51%), and Massachusetts (48%).
The bottom ten states with the lowest recycling rates (excluding FFP) in 2021 are West Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alaska, South Carolina, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas, and Colorado. The bottom three states with the lowest recycling rates are West Virginia (2%), Louisiana (4%), and Tennessee (5%).
The total economic value of recycling in the U.S. is estimated to be around $35 billion when expressed as a monetary benefit. This value accounts for gross value, employment income generated from recycling-related jobs, and the reduction in greenhouse gas impact, which is equivalent to removing more than 17 million vehicles from the roads. If effective nationwide recycling policies were enacted, such as pairing Extended Producer Policy with Recycling Refunds, the benefit of recycling could potentially double to $70 billion in one year.
The Chairman and CEO, Ball Corporation, Daniel W. Fisher, announced: "Many consumers want to, and think they are, doing the right thing when they put their can or bottle in the recycle bin. However, collection does not equal real recycling. Creating a true closed-loop system — where a can becomes a can, or a bottle becomes a bottle — will require a well-designed recycling policy that creates compelling incentives to recycle and expand recycling infrastructure and systems to ensure the process is simple, convenient and affordable for everyone.”
It's heartening to see policymakers and stakeholders collaborating to enact policies and programs that promote recycling and sustainability across the supply chain. The "50 States of Recycling" report provides valuable insights and recommendations that can guide the development of effective recycling programs for the future. It's important to design the next generation of recycling systems thoughtfully and to implement policies and programs that complement each other to achieve the best possible outcomes in the U.S.
Ball Corporation is a supplier of sustainable aluminium packaging solutions for various industries and government agencies, with 21,000 employees worldwide and 2022 net sales of $15.35 billion. Eunomia Research & Consulting is an environmental consultancy with over 100 employees and offices in multiple locations worldwide, focused on delivering improved outcomes for organizations through expertise in environmental, technical, and commercial disciplines.
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