Recycling in the United States: Learn about its best advances
The USA is one of the countries that generates the most plastic waste, which is why it is so important to carry out recycling in the United States. Generating waste management in the country will contribute to a better quality of life and to heal the planet.
It is vital to make the population aware of recycling and how this benefits the environment, since it helps reduce the waste that is deposited in landfills or dumps. Precisely, today we will talk about recycling in the United States, how does it work? What percentage of recycling does the country have? And what are the advances that have been achieved to date regarding recycling? Keep reading.
How does recycling work in the United States?
Recycling in the USA works differently from other countries like Mexico, recycling in the US is easier and there is a greater variety of products that can be recycled. For example, recycling is regulated by the state and not the federal government, meaning that each state has its own recycling laws. Likewise, in some places it is mandatory to recycle and in others it is not.
As for recyclable materials like plastic, glass, metal, paper and cardboard are recycled in the United States, which helps reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, as well as energy use and the consumption of natural resources.
Therefore, recycling in the US has a simple but effective function, and it is a good way to take care of the environment. In addition, recycling in the United States is very easy, as there are many recycling points available, of course, depending on the state you are in. Each recycling container is marked with the recycling symbol and the list of materials that can be recycled in the container.
In fact, in the United States 35% of solid urban waste is recycled, being one of the countries that recycles the most worldwide. Although recycling in the United States has come a long way, there is still a long way to go. It is estimated that the recycling of solid urban waste could increase up to 80%.
Advances in recycling in the United States
Among the advances in recycling in the USA is the fact that a large number of states have adopted selective garbage collection. Thanks to it, more and more recyclable materials are separated at source and recycled.
Another advance is the increase in the recycling capacity of commercial establishments. According to the EPA, 75% of businesses in the US already have access to recycling programs.
Likewise, it is worth noting the increase in environmental awareness among US citizens. According to a survey carried out in 2016, 90% of the inhabitants of the USA consider that recycling is important to protect the environment. And by 2022, 95% of American households were expected to have access to recycling programs, which is now a reality.
As we can see, recycling in the United States has been advancing little by little, and more and more establishments and citizens are joining this fundamental movement. The near future of recycling in the United States is expected to be sustainable for the planet.
What would happen if it is not recycled in the United States?
If the USA does not recycle, the country would generate more material waste, even those that are not easily recycled, or that by their nature cannot be recycled, which brings catastrophic consequences to American health and the environment.
On the other hand, the United States, as a developed country, has the possibility and the technology to recycle and reduce the waste it generates. But there are many challenges to recycling in the United States . These challenges are:
- The lack of a national recycling system: Currently, each state and municipality in the United States has its own recycling system, which makes recycling more expensive and less efficient.
- Lack of proper infrastructure– In many parts of the United States, there are no recycling plants or recycling centers, which makes recycling more difficult.
- Many Recyclable waste is polluted: Americans don’t know how to recycle properly, which makes recyclable materials polluted and unrecyclable.
- The cost of recycling: Recycling is more expensive than disposing of waste in a landfill or incinerator.
Recycling companies in the United States
In the United States, recycling is carried out mainly through companies specialized in recycling all types of material. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are about 100 companies that recycle in the United States.
Companies in the United States receive recyclable material from a variety of sources, including homes, businesses, and collection centers. According to the EPA, 65% of all recycled waste in the United States comes from households, while the remaining 35% comes from businesses and organizations.
For decades, recycling in the United States has focused primarily on recycling paper and metal. But these days just about anything can be recycled, from plastic and glass to clothing and furniture.
Among the recycling companies in the United States there is Junior’s Recycling, which is dedicated to recycling materials such as metal, auto parts, copper, batteries, aluminum and much more. The company operates in Mesa, Arizona and buys all materials such as plastic and aluminum cans.
In conclusion, recycling in the United States is a great challenge, but it is a necessity to protect the environment and the health of Americans. A stronger commitment from all Americans is needed to make recycling effective. With increased engagement and education, recycling in America can improve significantly.
If you want to recycle, contact us, we are your ally to relieve the planet of contaminated garbage, maintain a clean conscience and a healthy environment, free of diseases. We are Junior’s Recycling!
