Recycling not only saves energy and reduces landfill waste, the recycling industry creates jobs and helps our local economy. The study, “More Jobs, Less Pollution” shows that a 75% national recycling rate would create nearly 2.3 million jobs while reducing pollution by 2030.
Statistics about How the Recycling Industry Creates Jobs
- Ecocycle.org cites that a U.S. recycling rate of 75% by 2030 would create 1.1 million new jobs.
- Recycling and reuse create at least 9 times more jobs than landfills and incinerators, and as many as 30 times more jobs (via Ecocycle.org).
- According to the US Recycling Economic Information Study (REI), the US Recycling Industry employed 1.25 million people whereas the US Solid Waste Management industry employed only 0.25 million (recycling is more labor-intensive than landfilling or incineration, so the recycling industry creates more jobs).
- According to Recycling Works, union recycling firms provide starting wages of approximately $20 an hour, as well as healthcare benefits and safer work conditions.
What Types of Jobs does the Recycling Industry create?
- The US Recycling Economic Information Study (REI) states there as many as 26 different kinds of
recycling businesses. - Manufacturing jobs for companies who make recycling equipment, such as vertical balers (like Harmony Enterprises, Inc.) contribute to the recycling industry.
- Recycling Industries and facilities collect, process, and prepare discarded materials to sort and recycle materials.
- Reuse stores and facilities, such as ReStore, Goodwill, or other places, accept gently used donations for reuse, resale, or shipment overseas.
- Manufacturing and remanufacturing factories take recycled materials and make them into a new product (computer refurbishers, outdoor furniture makers, recycled paper, etc.)
Recycling goes Beyond Aluminum and Plastic
Often when people think about recycling, the common materials such as paper, plastic, aluminum, glass, and metal come to mind. But there are so many more materials that can be reused and recycled if we start to work towards zero waste. Everything from composting food to recycling clothing and textiles, construction and household goods, and 200+ more.
Recycling Industry Affects our Worldwide Economy
In many parts of the world, the recycling industry is growing fast, which can lead to many environmental and economic benefits. We know that the United States has a lot of room for improvement when it comes to recycling. Sweden is recycling nearly 100% of their waste. The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria are also leading the pack by recycling around 50% of their waste. Recycling has a large capacity for creating new jobs worldwide while also making for a better environment for generations to come!
More Jobs, Less Pollution
More Jobs, Less Pollution: Growing the Recycling Economy in the U.S. (Click here to download the PDF) shows how a stronger recycling economy would create 1.5 million new jobs in manufacturing, collection, and other careers. The recycling industry creates jobs that can be quality jobs with family-supporting wages.
Harmony Enterprises, Inc. makes balers, compactors and other recycling and waste management equipment that are used in schools, businesses, and other facilities worldwide. But, we are also on a mission to help people make decisions that are eco-friendly so we can live in a more sustainable world. If you would like to learn more about our recycling and waste management solutions, please contact us at (507) 886-6666 or fill out this simple form.
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