Recycling in the United States

    This article examines recycling in the United States. A number of U.S. states, such as California, Hawaii, Oregon, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Iowa, Michigan and New York have passed laws that establish deposits or refund values on beverage containers in order to promote reuse and recycling. Most are five cents per can or bottle. Michigan's deposit is 10 cents. Some cities, such as New York City and Seattle, have created laws that enforce fines upon citizens who throw away certain recyclable materials.

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Financial implications

Some argue State support for recycling may be more financially expensive in the short term than alternatives such as landfill; recycling efforts in New York City in the USA cost $57 million per year^[1]. It is argued that the benefits to society from recycling compensate for any difference in cost. Landfilling waste is an inefficient use of resources, contributes to global warming through the release of methane into the atmosphere and by the pollution of groundwater and waterways. The long term financial costs of remediating pollution caused by landfilling waste are often not taken into consideration.

America Recycles Day

The 11^th annual America Recycles day was held on the 15 November 2007. Hundreds of events annually are being held across the country to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and to encourage Americans to sign personal pledges to recycle and buy recycled products.^[2][3]

Run by the recycling sector organization National Recycling Coalition, America Recycles Day 2006 is being sponsored nationally by global aluminum company Novelis, stationery firm Staples, waste firm Waste Management Recycle America, the American Beverage Association and the EPA.

Although America may not enjoy much of a reputation for environmentalism on the global stage, in some US cities recycling levels are much higher than, for example, in the UK.^[4]

See also

• Keep America Beautiful
• Recycling in Canada
• Recycling in Ireland

References

1. ^ Logomasini, A.(2002) Forced Recycling Is a WasteThe Wall Street Journal, March 19
2. ^ US raises waste awareness with "America Recycles Day", www.letsrecycle.com, Retrieved 15.11.06
3. ^ George W. Bush Proclamation on America Recycles Day, www.waste-management-world.com, Retrieved 24.11.06
4. ^ US raises waste awareness with "America Recycles Day", www.letsrecycle.com, Retrieved 15.11.06

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