Recycling rates have stagnated for a
good while now. That continues to be
partly a function of human nature.
But a little imagination can nudge
those rates upward.
A recent study by the American
Beverage Association reported that
74% of the U.S. population has
access to curbside recycling, but
the infrastructure exists to extend
the service to millions of others,
relatively easily. And the report
has some good suggestions for
increasing participation with those
already getting curbside service.
The study says 229 million
Americans have curbside collection,
and it could be extended to an
additional 95 million people without
too much difficulty. Currently 92%
of the U.S. population has access to
some form of recycling program,
whether it's curbside collection or
a drop-off site.
The study is optimistic about how
simply recycling rates can be
increased. What it doesn't seem to
account for is a couple of
formidable obstacles -- government
cost and consumer motivation.
In these tough economic times
when just about every local
government is stretched big time to
its financial limits, any cost
addition can be daunting.
Even if trash collection is
provided, adding recyclables
collection is adding manpower and
perhaps vehicles and energy costs.
And don't underestimate the
challenge of getting people to
actually do it, no matter how easy.
Even a single-stream curbside
collection program requires people
to separate their waste and probably
remember a different pickup day.
It sounds simple. But most of us
motivated to recycle are already
doing so. That probably leaves
people who really aren't interested.
That's why economic incentives
are really attractive means to
increase recycling rates.
Pay-as-you-throw programs, discounts
on waste disposal bills or rewards
for recycling are great ideas to
reach those people that altruistic
environmental benefits won't
motivate.
Everyone loves to save money.
Whether it's local governments, or
you and I.
Allan Gerlat
is editor of Waste & Recycling News.
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