![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Resource Conservation Challenge: Improving Recycling Nationwide
RCC Fact Sheet
EPA530-F-05-019
October 2005
Although Americans continue to reiterate our belief in the value of recycling, our recycling efforts seem to be leveling off, right when we need to do more. Recycling has environmental benefits at every stage in the life cycle of a consumer product—from the raw material that it’s made with, to the final method of disposal. Think about all the material value and the energy that we simply lose when we throw away products. When you discard a product, like an aluminum can, you lose the material outright. For example, it takes 530,000 BTUs to put 1 ton of aluminum cans in a landfill. Recycling that same ton of aluminum saves that half million BTUs, which is equivalent to nearly 1,500 gallons of gas. So, you can see recycling not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also conserves energy and natural resources.
The main goal of the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) is to change the way Americans think about waste—to see the value of a used material as a product or commodity, not a waste. We want you to realize your impact on the environment before you act—whether you’re reading today’s newspaper, eating lunch, grabbing a bottle of water, or mailing a package. All the materials we use, and actions we take, in our daily lives affect our environment. By committing ourselves to reduce more waste, to reuse and recycle more materials, to buy more recycled and recyclable products, and to reduce toxic chemicals in products and waste, we conserve energy and preserve natural resources. To this end, the RCC relies on voluntary partnerships to promote and encourage the reuse and recycling of materials. Our partners are getting positive economic rewards and environmental results that are moving us toward our 35 percent national recycling goal.
Goal: 35 Percent National Recycling Rate
The RCC is focusing on three broad municipal solid waste streams with high generation rates and significant potential for increased recovery or recycling:
We are focusing on these materials generated at schools and office buildings, by landscapers and food services, and at “recycling on-the-go” venues, such as shopping centers. To help accomplish our goal, we are collaborating with partners, key stakeholders, and recognized experts to identify creative and innovative ways to increase recycling, change our disposal culture, and build an infrastructure to ensure sustainability.
|
CATEGORY
|
2001 RECYCLING RATES
|
2008 RCC GOALS
|
|---|---|---|
| Paper and paperboard | 36.7 million tons | 44.1 million tons |
| Food waste | 0.7 million tons | 1.28 million tons |
| Yard trimmings | 15.8 million tons | 16.8 million tons |
| Paper folding cartons | 0.48 million tons | 2 million tons |
| Wood packaging | 1.25 million tons | 2 million tons |
| Plastic wraps | 0.17 million tons | 0.5 million tons |
| Beverage containers | 2.93 million tons | 4.36 million tons |
RCC Partnerships Address Solid Waste
We’re working with states, local governments, national recycling organizations, recycling businesses, and others to provide more recycling opportunities everywhere. We’re collaborating with businesses and governments that offer the best opportunities for success. Examples of partnerships and initiatives include the following.
- WasteWise
Our decade-plus WasteWise partnership now includes more than 1,300 corporations, government agencies, universities, hospitals, and others who are committed to reducing waste and conserving energy and resources. WasteWise provides technical assistance to help develop, implement, and measure partners’ waste reduction and recycling activities. Collectively, WasteWise partners have prevented nearly 5 millions tons of waste, which equates to removing more than 3 million passenger cars from the roads for one year.
- GreenScapes
GreenScapes provides cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for large-scale landscaping projects. Designed to help preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution, the partnership aims to create a unified influence over the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste materials in large land use applications, such as brownfields, highways, or golf courses. By reducing, reusing, recycling, and rebuying recycled materials, partners help improve both the environment and their bottom line. A partner commits to measurable goals through efforts such as composting and mulching organic wastes and using native plants to reduce water and pesticide use.
- A
Guide for Reducing Waste at Shopping Centers
Developed with the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), A Guide to Waste Reduction at Shopping Centers helps shopping centers prevent waste and improve recycling. It is used as an informal standard for ICSC to reward and publicly recognize innovative and successful waste prevention and recycling activities by retailers and shopping centers.
- Donating
Edible Food
We are working with the US Department of Agriculture to develop a guide for institutions that generate food waste. The guide will help them donate edible food or learn how to compost food waste.
Resource Conservation Challenge
The RCC challenges everyone to accept responsibility and rededicate themselves to conserving resources. Accepting responsibility for improving our environment means changing our habits, processes, and practices. Everyone has a role. Businesses, consumers, and governments work together to make changes resulting in products designed to be more easily reused and recycled. Manufacturers can make products less toxic and more recyclable, and prevent and recycle waste. Individuals and businesses can change their buying and disposal habits, seeking less toxic products and recycling at every opportunity.
Resources
- EPA’s Make
a Difference Campaign educates and engages middle school
students in resource conservation and environmental protection
by helping them make informed decisions in their day-to-day
life. By providing tools and materials, and working with
individual schools to host an environmental event, this
campaign achieves measurable waste reduction results.
- America Recycles
Day
is a national all-volunteer, nonprofit organization
that encourages Americans to recycle and to buy recycled
products. Every year, America Recycles Day holds a national
awareness event to promote the social, environmental, and
economic benefits of buying recycled and recycling.
- National Recycling
Coalition (NRC)
is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of recycling.
A true coalition, NRC provides technical information, education,
training, outreach, and advocacy service on recycling, source
reduction, composting, and reuse. The 4,000 members include
recycling and environmental organizations; large and small
businesses; federal, state and local governments; and individuals.
PDF Version (4 pp, 516K, about PDF)