At the annual NRC Congress held in Denver, CO, September 16-19, Executive Director Kate Krebs announced a nationwide effort to educate policy makers and the general public on the value of recycling in helping the nation address global warming.

“The environmental and economic benefits of recycling are well established, and have been the foundation for the growth of recycling programs over the last 30 years,” stated Ms. Krebs. “What most folks don’t know is that recycling also substantially reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases. NRC’s 4,000 members and partners will take a leadership role in getting that message out over the coming weeks and months as the US Congress and many states are developing laws and regulations governing climate change.”

After 2 decades of substantial growth, recycling rates in the US have leveled off over the past few years despite the global market boom for commodities. Among the reasons are an inadequate or aging recycling infrastructure and a public in need of motivation from new and personal messages on the value of recycling. “Investment in public education and infrastructure investment is the key to driving up recycling rates,” said Krebs. “We need to help communities buy new collection vehicles, modernize processing facilities, and rejuvenate local and national education programs.”

The NRC effort will have three components – educating policy makers, educating the American public, and technical development. The overall goal is to ensure that incentives for recycling are a key component of climate change policy. “We would like to see public policy reward increases in recycling, whether that be through participation in emissions trading markets by community recycling programs, or through direct and indirect incentives to all participants in recovering materials from the waste stream.” The technical development part of the initiative is intended to ensure that any claims of reductions in greenhouse gases associated with enhanced recycling are legitimate.

“Most importantly,” emphasized Krebs, “we need to remind and re-educate our citizens and consumers that they can make a difference by the simple act of recycling. Not everyone can buy a hybrid car or spend thousands of dollars to make their home energy efficient. But everyone can place that bottle or newspaper in the recycling bin and truly help save our planet. Recycling still matters, more than ever, and, as always, it all comes back to what you and I do.”