Recycle On The Go!Recycle On The Go!

www.epa.gov/recycleonthegowww.epa.gov/recycleonthego

February 2007February 2007

US Environmental Protection AgencyUS Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Solid WasteOffice of Solid Waste

Recycling OpportunitiesRecycling Opportunities

8,875 curbside programs across the USA8,875 curbside programs across the USA

51% households have curbside access51% households have curbside access

50% of those that have access use it50% of those that have access use it

Recycling- Away from Home and On the Recycling- Away from Home and On the Go targets the 40% of MSW generated Go targets the 40% of MSW generated away from home away from home (Away from Home) (Away from Home)

WEST MIDWEST

NORTHEAST

SOUTH

55% 44%35%

83%

The Percentage of Population Served by The Percentage of Population Served by Curbside Recycling Varies by RegionCurbside Recycling Varies by Region

– Curbside recycling serves 51% of the total U.S. population.Curbside recycling serves 51% of the total U.S. population.– The Northeast has the most programs serving the highest percentage of the The Northeast has the most programs serving the highest percentage of the

population (83%).population (83%).– The South has the fewest number of programs serving only 35% of the population.The South has the fewest number of programs serving only 35% of the population.

Source: Statistical Abstract 1996, Bureau of Census 1996, Biocycle 1997

Why Recycling Away from Home Why Recycling Away from Home and On the Go?and On the Go?

40% of MSW is generated away from home40% of MSW is generated away from home

Curbside programs focus on at home generation Curbside programs focus on at home generation

While away from home collection programs exist in some While away from home collection programs exist in some areas, a National effort is needed to ensure that recyclables areas, a National effort is needed to ensure that recyclables are collected where they are generatedare collected where they are generated

Public should come to expect that recycling is as convenient Public should come to expect that recycling is as convenient and available as “disposal” isand available as “disposal” is

Provides consistent message to the public about the value of Provides consistent message to the public about the value of wastewaste

Recycling-Away from HomeRecycling-Away from Home and On the Go and On the Go

ObjectivesObjectives

Develop a recycling infrastructure for Develop a recycling infrastructure for away from home collectionaway from home collection

Increase the amount of waste collected Increase the amount of waste collected for recyclingfor recycling

Promote a culture of recycling by Promote a culture of recycling by making it convenient, available and cost making it convenient, available and cost effective effective

Targeted SectorsTargeted Sectors

Shopping centers Shopping centers

Sports venues/stadiums Sports venues/stadiums

Parks and recreational areas Parks and recreational areas

Public transportationPublic transportation

Municipalities/Special Events Municipalities/Special Events

Convention CentersConvention Centers

Away from Home and On the Go Away from Home and On the Go ActivitiesActivities

Conduct research on what kind of waste and where away from home Conduct research on what kind of waste and where away from home wastes are generatedwastes are generated

Develop web based tool kit Develop web based tool kit

Support State, municipality activities to conduct public place recycling Support State, municipality activities to conduct public place recycling

Develop partnerships: NFL, NPS, ARAMARK, ICSCDevelop partnerships: NFL, NPS, ARAMARK, ICSC

Developing case studies, best practices guides for airports, stadiumsDeveloping case studies, best practices guides for airports, stadiums

Three Three compartment compartment receptacle collects receptacle collects paper, containers paper, containers and wastesand wastes

Recycling on the Go: Highway Rest Stops Recycling on the Go: Highway Rest Stops provide great recycling opportunities provide great recycling opportunities

for motoristsfor motorists Rural Community Recycling Rural Community Recycling ContainersContainers

Recycling containers should be made Recycling containers should be made available to the public for wastes generated available to the public for wastes generated

away from homeaway from home

Newspaper Newspaper recycling recycling containers are containers are located in the located in the subway in subway in Washington D.C.Washington D.C.

Contact InformationContact Information

U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Solid WasteOffice of Solid Waste

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20460Washington, DC 20460

www.epa.gov/recycleonthegowww.epa.gov/recycleonthego