Public attention to environmental issues has been invigorated by the development of domestic and global policy to address climate change. In the debate on how best to go forward, we must ensure that the public and decision makers recognize the valuable role that recycling plays in reducing the demand on energy and material resources. We already know that, even under the current US recycling rate of 32% for municipal solid waste, we avoid the emissions of nearly 200 million tons of greenhouse gases, or about 3% of our nation’s total carbon footprint. The expansion of our ability to recover even more materials should be a core component of any policy choices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That will mean incentives to enhance education, infrastructure, and re-use.
NRC intends to be a vital source of education and advocacy on behalf of the recycling community and our common mission. As a first step, NRC has created this information resource for its members and the general public to stay informed on the latest information regarding the value of recycling in a carbon-constrained world, and to assist those in need of advocacy materials for general education and policy development at the federal, state, and local level.
This web page will be a continuing work in progress. We will add new and useful information as it becomes available to us. We also invite interested parties to suggest or provide information that should be included and shared with our members and the public.