Benefits of Recycling Discussed in New National EPA Strategy
Posted on: October 14th, 2020
In July 2020, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrated its 50th anniversary, touting its impact and the overall benefits of recycling across the nation.
“Since EPA was founded in 1970, the U.S. recycling rate has risen from 10 percent to 35 percent and we aim to push it even higher,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Later this year, EPA will establish new national recycling goals and take steps to support the recycling industry in new ways.”
Later this year is now, with the EPA recently releasing a draft of a new National Recycling Strategy, which they’re making available to the public for feedback.
The goal of this new strategy (according to the news release) is to create a stronger, more silent U.S. municipal solid waste recycling system.
“Over the last two years, we’ve heard from our partners about the challenges facing our nation’s recycling system, and in particular for municipal solid waste recycling,” says Wheeler. “Our strategy aims to move recycling in America forward by identifying actions that all of us—governments, nonprofits, private industry and the public—can take together.”
This new strategy builds on the benefits of recycling from the EPA’s National Framework for Advancing the U.S. Recycling System, which was released in 2019.
Three focus areas will be a part of the new strategy and include reducing contamination, increasing processing efficiency and improving end markets.
This is one reason why HC continues to promote its fiber sustainable solutions for growing containers, protective packaging, consumer products and more. They’re manufactured using over 90% renewable, bio-based content, contain no PFAs and can easily and cost effectively be recycled again based on their recycled newspaper composition – truly highlighting the benefits of recycling.
The public has until December 4, 2020 to provide feedback on the new strategy, which the EPA hopes to finalize in early 2021.
“Recycling is a tangible way that everyone every day can help protect human health and the environment,” said EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management Assistant Administrator Peter Wright. “The positive impacts on both our environment and economy are more important than ever.”
Click here to read the full strategy, provide comments and learn more on the benefits of recycling.
Why fiber?
Discover what our fiber sustainable solutions could mean to your sustainability efforts.
Learn More