EPA Report Shows 6 Percent Increase in National Recycling Rate

Danielle Jackson

Washington, D.C. -- According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, recycling collections have risen 6.6 percent, increasing the national recycling rate from 28.1 percent in 1999 to 30.1 percent in 2000.

Recycling collections totaled 53.4 million tons, and composting activities diverted an additional 16.5 million tons from landfills, according to the report. The 2000 recycling rates are listed below:

Steel cans -- 58.6 percent

Yard trimmings -- 56.9 percent

Aluminum cans -- 45 percent

Paper and paperboard -- 36.6 percent

Glass bottles -- 25.9 percent

Durable goods -- 16.6 percent

Plastic bottles -- 8.9 percent

Other nondurables -- 6.1 percent

Food scraps -- 2.6 percent