Note: please note that this issue overview should (a) contain links to the issue briefs on this topic that are focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (b) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

Goal Statement   one sentence that further defines the topic 

• To develop a more efficient and effective city recycling program.

Policy Options / Program Models   specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled 

• Residential Recycling
  • Curbside Recycling Model - implements mandatory recycling in a passive manner. All recyclable materials are placed in a household recycle dumpster, similar to an ordinary trash dumpster. On a weekly basis both recyclable materials and non-recyclable materials are picked up.
  • Single Stream or No-Sort Recycling allows for residents to commingle recyclable paper and mixed containers in one bin for collection. The convenience of Single-Stream recycling greatly increase participation and household recovery, resulting in the recovery of up to 30% more recyclable materials.^[1]

• Office Recycling Model - The Carbon Reduction Institute provides a step by step waste management program that helps with office recycling.

• Industrial Recycling - Nearly every industrial process, from manufacturing consumer goods to generating energy produces different types of usable materials . Similar to municipal solid wastes, these industrial materials are also valuable commodities that can be recycled. ^[2]

• Source Reduction
  • Waste Prevention is the practice of designing, manufacturing, purchasing, or using materials in ways that reduce the amount or toxicity of trash created. Reusing items is another way to stop waste at the source. Waste prevention can help reduce waste disposal and handling costs because it avoids the costs of recycling, municipal composting, land-filling and combustion. ^[3]

• Composting
  • Food Waste Recovery

Issue Briefs   issue briefs on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

• Recycling - USA

• Recycling - Kansas

  • Recycling - Topeka, KS

• Recycling - New Jersey

  • Recycling - Princeton, NJ

Glossary of Terms   key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue 

• Drop-off location - Site where individuals can deposit appropriate, non-hazardous waste into recycling bins 

• No-Sort Recycling (Single Stream)-  Recycling where individual households can put all recyclable materials into one bin. The material is then sorted at a recycling facility.

• Curbside Recycling - Households place recyclable material on curb, it is then picked up by a recycling company.

• Contamination - The process by which renewable waste becomes contaminated, and is no longer recyclable. Contamination occurs when materials that are not reusable are recycled. 

• Source Reduction - The process  of designing, manufacturing, purchasing, or using materials in ways that reduce the amount of toxicity of trash created.

• Composting - Compost is an organic material that can be used as a soil amendment or as a medium to grow plants. It is created by combining organic waste into piles of organic waste that will decompose and reveal organic materials, and minerals.

Bibliography

• Article on curbside recycling in Philadelphia
• Casella is a no-sort recycling management corporation.