State of Recycling Report Highlights Issues in U.S. Residential Collection, Calls for EPR Policies

The Recycling Partnership, a leading non-governmental organization dedicated to enhancing the efficiency of recycling systems, has released a new report that targeted problematic areas in the U.S. residential recycling system. The report reveals that only 21% of residential recyclables in the United States are currently being recycled. Although there are significant gaps in the existing system, the report proposes actionable solutions for a more sustainable solution, starting with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies.

The report, “State of Recycling: Present and Future of Residential Recycling in the U.S.” highlights the critical need for EPR polices and strategic industry investments to bridge existing gaps in the system. Of the five key requirements listed by The Recycling Partnership, data suggests that policy, investment, and action will have the largest impact for an efficient system.

“Every year we trash 79% of recyclables but we don’t need to,” said Keefe Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of The Recycling Partnership. “Fixing recycling is completely doable – it just takes a clear plan and a true sense of urgency.  This report outlines that plan. Our data provides an actionable roadmap for policymakers, companies, communities, and the public to ensure that recycling reaches its full potential to reduce waste and protect natural resources.”

The comprehensive study identifies several key findings that shed light on the inefficiencies within the U.S. residential recycling system, starting with how every material is under-recycled. Alarming statistics report that cardboard boxes, steel cans, mixed paper, glass, aluminum cans, and PET bottles are lost in households due to a lack of recycling services and poor communication regarding recycling methods leading to a staggering 76% of recyclables being lost in homes.

Only 73% of all U.S. households have access to recycling services, with a stark contrast between single-family (85%) and multifamily homes (37%). This exclusion of nearly 20 million multifamily homes (63% of all multifamily homes) hampers recycling efforts significantly. Merely 43% of households participate in recycling, and the report attributes non-participation to both the lack of recycling access and insufficient communication. Even among those with access, only 59% use their recycling service, and 57% of recyclable materials are improperly placed in trash containers.

Five states are currently sitting at a recycling rate below 10% (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, and Nebraska) while California, Connecticut, New York, and Oregon have recycling rates at 30% or above. The report suggests that implementing EPR policies could elevate certain state’s recycling rates beyond 60%.

“Each link of the recycling system is interconnected, so we need to close all the gaps,” said Cody Marshall, The Recycling Partnership’s Chief System Optimization Officer. “But we can make the greatest strides by investing in access to recycling services, and communication, and outreach so that people can recycle from their homes and fully participate.”

To address the gaps identified in the recycling system, the report calls on policymakers, companies, and recycling leaders to take decisive action. Policymakers from the federal and state levels need to adopt EPR policies. The report calls on companies to invest in designing all packaging for recyclability, fund improvements in recycling services, and leverage opportunities in regions consisting of the greatest material loss. Lastly, recycling leaders need to turn data into action through effective communication, education, and public engagement initiatives.

As the gaps in the recycling system persist, the call to action has been laid out by the report to reshape the U.S. residential recycling landscape. By utilizing EPR policies, strategic investments, and enhanced communication, a more efficient and sustainable recycling system is within reach.