Recyclables - Features

On average Americans only recycle 32 percent of its waste; a rate that in the last 15 years has doubled. Currently, 50 percent of all paper, 34 percent of all plastic bottles, and 67 percent of all major appliances are now recycled. There are approximately 9,000 curbside programs across the nation while 20 years ago none existed. Furthermore, collection, transportation, and processing costs are a simple part of the recycling process. Container cost and labor fees are the primary reason for this cost; however, lower manufacturing costs offset the cost of recycling not only in overhead but also in the positive impact on our environment.