You are probably already aware that recycling and composting provide many environmental benefits. But did you know that diverting recyclable and compostable materials from the waste stream can lead to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions? In fact, within California, Oregon, and Washington, recycling or composting many of the commonly found items in the disposed waste stream could reduce GHG emissions by more than 32 MMTCO2e, (million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent), the equivalent of taking 6.3 million cars off the road for a year.
We are pleased to share this finding from a new report, “Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Recycling and Composting,” produced by the West Coast Climate and Materials Management Forum, an EPA-led partnership of western city, county, state, and tribal governments.
Recycling and Composting from a Climate Perspective
This landmark study identifies the top ten materials in California, Oregon, and Washington with the greatest potential for reducing GHG emissions if diverted from landfill disposal through recycling and composting. The analysis, carried out using EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (WARM) and statewide disposal characterization data, reveals that there are common materials in all three states that promise the greatest emissions reduction potential. These four priority material categories include: carpet, core recyclables, dimensional lumber, and food scraps.
Although recycling is an established practice in many West Coast communities, this report shows that further progress can be made by diverting greater quantities of materials currently recycled or composted, and by establishing new programs for materials such as carpet and dimensional lumber. The report offers current information about successful and innovative local programs, and resources to help you reach your goals. Approaching recycling and composting from a climate perspective challenges many of our assumptions. We hope that the report stimulates new thinking and help you find new directions in your work.
This report shows that recycling and composting also contributes significantly to the green economy. Recycling or composting just half of core recyclables (corrugated containers, office paper, aluminum cans, newspaper, magazines, PET and HDPE containers, and steel cans) and food scraps currently in the three-state waste streams would yield almost $1.6 billion in additional salaries and wages, $818 million in additional goods and services produced, and $309 million in additional sales across the West Coast.
At a time when limited resources are available for meeting multiple urgent policy goals, programs that focus on recycling and composting these priority material types can deliver emissions reductions and contribute to climate action goals, while producing other more widely accepted benefits such as resource conservation, cost savings, job creation and economic development.
We hope you find this report interesting. Please share it with your colleagues and tweet about your favorite facts. For more information, or to learn about how to become involved in the Forum, contact call or email Ashley Zanolli at EPA Region 10, 206-553-4425.
Thank you for your support and for your positive contribution to climate change mitigation and the green economy through recycling and composting.