Talking Trash

Landfills are a controversial issue in every community in which they are sited.  No one wants to live near a landfill.  Few people support their expansion, and only grudgingly accept the need.  So why do we recycle less than half of what we could?  Why isn’t recycling universally available for homes and businesses?  Maybe recycling is too expensive or too much trouble.  Or maybe we think it all goes to the landfill anyway, so why bother.  In the spirit of the season, bah humbug!

Recycling costs less and returns more

It costs about $50 a ton to have solid waste disposed of in a landfill.  Recycling a ton of materials otherwise destined for a landfill costs $30, or 40% less.  Waste haulers are increasing their profits by sorting and selling recyclables.  Prices fluctuate, but over time it is a profitable business.  In Cincinnati, my home town, the municipal trash hauling contract covers expenses; the profits flow from recycling.

Using recycled materials uses less energy

Even when you include the energy required to collect recyclables and ship them to manufacturers, energy savings are dramatic:

• Using recycled aluminum cans uses 95% less energy than new inputs


• Recycling plastic bottles uses 90% less


• Copper: 85%


• Steel: 70%


• Paper: 60%


• Glass: 33%

It’s too much trouble to separate recyclables

Mixed-stream recycling processes require no separation at curbside. Recycling containers filled with a mix of materials are separated by employed people and optical scanning technology as they travel on conveyors at the material recycling facility at 95% accuracy.

Sending less to landfills produces jobs, investment in plant and equipment, lower costs for manufacturers, enhanced profits for all in the supply chain, and higher value land use.  Next blog I’ll suggest several concrete actions you can take to support solid waste reduction and recycling at home and at work.