Midwest efforts prove recycling pays
February 16, 2002
American Society of Agricultural Engineers

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 states lead the nation in economic impacts of recycling, the U.S. Recycling Economic Information Study shows.
The EPA commissioned the research along with state governments and the National Recycling Coalition.

Nationally, more than 56,000 recycling facilities annually earn more than $236 billion in gross revenues. These operations employ more than 1.1 million people and pay a $37 billion total annual payroll.

In the Midwest states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, more than 8,000 recycling and reuse businesses employ 275,000 workers with a total $10 billion payroll. These facilities report more than $62.5 billion in annual gross sales.

"This study proves what we have said for a long time," Region 5 administrator Thomas Skinner says. "Recycling is not just good for the environment, it also creates jobs and contributes significantly to our economy."

He adds that in 1999, the national recycling rate was 27.8 percent.

"In order to reach EPA's national target of a 35 percent recycling rate by 2005, we must support markets for recyclables and encourage consumers to seek out and buy recycled products."