Containers and Fiber 
Miscellaneous 
Construction & Demolition 
N.C. DEQ @NCDEQ 2 hours ago |
Top 7 Reasons Recycling Is Here to Stay
Because 7 is the magic number (phone numbers, days of the
week, wonders of the world...)
1. Citizens Want To Recycle.
Things are worth what people are willing to pay for
them. I'm not talking about grumpy old Mr. Jones that shows up raising
cain at the Town Hall meeting every month. I'm talking about the
majority of citizens who want to do the right thing and know that recycling
is good. Never underestimate the power of getting citizens involved in
supporting recycling programs. They just might pay more for it or even
save it from imminent doom as they did in Craven County (NC), Greensboro
(NC), and Kernersville (NC) earlier this year.
2. Cheap Does Not Equal Better.
One trip to the dollar store will show you that... When we
change our mindset about recycling, that it's a utility, similar to power and
water, and that it's an essential part of sustainable waste management,
suddenly it makes a lot more sense to pay what it really costs for something
we need and to work together to share the burden. We can't take for
granted that we have very cheap landfill fees compared to other parts of the
country, but this will change eventually. Landfill space is
finite.
3. Investment.
Like my non-existent stock market portfolio, there are
ups and downs with any investment. What's the one piece of advice your
broker gives you? Don't divest in a down market! We have made a
substantial investment in this system and can weather this period of market
adjustment. Unlike other utilities, recycling actually has a
chance to recoup costs in the future. And speaking with your
dollars by buying recycled content products helps drive demand = markets
improve. So buy
recycled!
4. Recycling Does Not Exist in a Vacuum.
Sure things might 'suck' at the moment, but that's not because
of a vacuum. When you do the math, curbside recycling takes up about
twice the volume per ton compared with trash. That means if you put it all in
the trash can, you're looking at a MUCH fuller truck, MORE trips to the
landfill, ADDING garbage routes, and really FILLING UP landfills at a double
rate. That's a no-no and everybody knows it.
5. Change is the Only Constant.
This period of reinvesting in domestic recycling capacity is a
great opportunity to teach our citizens that recycling is market-based.
It really can't be the "ol' reliable source" of revenue all the
time that we all hoped it would be when times were good. It is
always evolving and changing, and we should be evolving with it by correcting
our expectations of recycling markets and demand for materials.
6. ENVIRONMENT.
Hello!! Recycling remains the easiest activity that
large portions of people across the US can do to help the environment.
Saving energy, water, land, and natural resources is hugely important to not
only humans, but the entire ecosystem. We have GOT to do this for the
environment; we heard Greta Thunberg is already talking to her lawyers...
7. Tools.
There are tons of tools, grants, and assistance out there to
maximize your recycling program quality and participation! Whether it
is #RecycleRightNC, #RecycleRightSC, The Recycling Partnership, the WRAP
Program, SERDC, Keep America Beautiful, or CRA, your tool cup should be
overflowing. For a list of these resources, visit CRA's resources page.
Thank you for
reading, and Happy America Recycles Day!!
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