Recycling and Waste Resources

EPA

Preserving Resources, Preventing Waste

Recycling

• Overview
• Recycling Process
• Recycling Facts and Figures
• Opportunities
• Recycling Publications
• Related Links

Overview

Recycling is a series of activities that includes collecting recyclable materials that would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing recyclables into raw materials such as fibers, and manufacturing raw materials into new products.

Recycling Process

Collecting and processing secondary materials, manufacturing recycled-content products, and then purchasing recycled products creates a circle or loop that ensures the overall success and value of recycling.

Step 1. Collection and Processing
Collecting recyclables varies from community to community, but there are four primary methods: curbside, drop-off centers, buy-back centers, and deposit/refund programs.

Regardless of the method used to collect the recyclables, the next leg of their journey is usually the same. Recyclables are sent to a materials recovery facility to be sorted and prepared into marketable commodities for manufacturing. Recyclables are bought and sold just like any other commodity, and prices for the materials change and fluctuate with the market.

Step 2. Manufacturing
Once cleaned and separated, the recyclables are ready to undergo the second part of the recycling loop. More and more of today's products are being manufactured with total or partial recycled content. Common household items that contain recycled materials include newspapers and paper towels; aluminum, plastic, and glass soft drink containers; steel cans; and plastic laundry detergent bottles. Recycled materials also are used in innovative applications such as recovered glass in roadway asphalt (glassphalt) or recovered plastic in carpeting, park benches, and pedestrian bridges.

Step 3. Purchasing Recycled Products
Purchasing recycled products completes the recycling loop. By "buying recycled," governments, as well as businesses and individual consumers, each play an important role in making the recycling process a success. As consumers demand more environmentally sound products, manufacturers will continue to meet that demand by producing high-quality recycled products. Llearn more about recycling terminology and to find tips on identifying recycled products.

Recycling Facts and Figures

• In 1999, recycling and composting activities prevented about 64 million tons of material from ending up in landfills and incinerators. Today, this country recycles 32 percent of its waste, a rate that has almost doubled during the past 15 years.
• While recycling has grown in general, recycling of specific materials has grown even more drastically: 50 percent of all paper, 34 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles, 45 percent of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans, 63 percent of all steel packaging, and 67 percent of all major appliances are now recycled.
• Twenty years ago, only one curbside recycling program existed in the United States, which collected several materials at the curb. By 2005, almost 9,000 curbside programs had sprouted up across the nation. As of 2005, about 500 materials recovery facilities had been established to process the collected materials.

Opportunities

For recycling to work, everyone has to participate in each phase of the loop. From government and industry, to organizations, small businesses, and people at home, every American can make recycling a part of their daily routine. Below are some ways in which businesses, local governments, and citizens can get involved:

Businesses

·         Visit the Web site for EPA's WasteWise program.

·         Get involved with your local or state recycling organization. For a list of state organizations, visit the National Recycling Coalition's Web site.

·         Buy recycled-content products. Visit the Web site for EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for lists of manufacturers of recycled-content products.

Local Governments

·         Improve the efficiency of your collection program. An EPA resource entitled Getting More for Less: Improving Collection Efficiency [Adobe PDF, 880 KB, about PDF] (EPA530-R-99-038) explains several important strategies for improving efficiency as well as case studies of communities that have reaped the benefits of improved solid waste collection.

·         Practice full cost accounting (FCA). Visit the FCA Web site for more information on using FCA to assist with identifying and assessing the costs of solid waste management.

·         Identify opportunities to increase recycling rates. Visit Pennsylvania's Web site for examples of local government projects in Pennsylvania to help meet or exceed the state's 35 percent recycling goal. Also, view EPA's guidance on measuring the success of your state or local recycling program.

Citizens

·         Recycle at home. Find out if there is a recycling program in your community. If so, participate in the program by separating and putting out your recyclables for curbside pickup or taking them to your local drop-off or buy-back center.

·         Shop smarter. Use products in containers that can be recycled in your community and items that can be repaired or reused. Also, support recycling markets by buying and using products made from recycled materials.

• Recycle on the Go! Look for recycling places in public spaces. If you can't find a recycling place, ask the responsible authority to look into installing one so you can recycle on the go.

Related Links

Programs

·         The MSW Programs Page lists a variety of EPA recycling-related programs.

Publications

·         EPA has compiled a list of recycling-related publications

Organizations

·         Aluminum Association
900 19th St. NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202 862-5100
Fax: 202 862-5164

·         American Forest and Paper Association
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202 463-2700

·         American Plastics Council
1801 K Street, NW, Suite 701-L
Washington, DC 20006-1301
Phone: 800-2-HELP-90

·         Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers
1300 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: 703- 741-5578
Fax: 703-741-5646

·         Glass Packaging Institute
740 East 52nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone: 317 283-1603
Fax: 317 923-9906

·         Institute for Local Self-Reliance
2425 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202 232-4108
Fax: 202 332-0463

·         Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries
1325 G Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202 737-1770
Fax: 202 626-0900

·         National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR)
PO Box 1327
Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: (707) 996-4207
Fax: (707) 935-1998

·         National Recycling Coalition
1727 King Street, Suite 105
Alexandria, VA 22314-2720
Phone: 703 683-9025
Fax: 703 683-9026

·         Polystyrene Packaging Council
1801 K Street NW, Suite 600K
Washington, DC 20006-1301
Phone: 202 974-5321
Fax: 202 296-7354

·         Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation
1000 Parkwood Circle
Suite 450
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: 678-419-9990
Fax: 678-419-9986

·         Steel Recycling Institute
680 Andersen Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2700
Phone: 412 922-2772, 800 876-7274
Fax: 412 922-3213

Information Resources

Data
OSW manages RCRAInfo, a major national information system to support the RCRA Subtitle C Hazardous Waste program. Also available are:

• National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report: Documents and Data
• RCRA Burden Reduction Initiative
• Waste Information Needs (WIN)/Informed Initiative

Envirofacts Warehouse provides users with direct access to environmental information contained in various EPA databases including hazardous waste, Superfund information, toxic releases, facility information, risk management plans, grants/funding, water permits, and drinking water contaminant occurrence.

Enviromapper allows users to map various types of environmental information, including hazardous waste, water discharge permits, toxic and air releases, watersheds, and Superfund sites. Enviromapper can also be used to spatially view environmental statistics, profiles, and trends.

Facts About Municipal Solid Waste/Recycling presents information, data, and trends concerning solid waste generation in the United States and recycling rates.

Regulations.gov allows you to search, view, and comment on Federal regulations. This government-wide, centralized docket management system provides access to all publicly available regulatory material, such as Federal Register notices and rules, supporting analyses, and comments submitted by the public. Rulemakings materials are also available in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center/RCRA Docket. To use Regulations.gov:

1. Select Advanced Search, then Docket Search.
2. Select "Environmental Protection Agency" from the Agency drop-down menu.
3. In the Docket ID box, type in the docket number (e.g., EPA-HQ-RCRA-1988-0068) and press the "Submit" button to receive search results. Be patient; loading the documents takes time.

General Solid Waste Sites

• America Recycles Day Web Site - Annual event sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency
• Earth 911 - provides the public with community-specific environmental information: recycling, buying recycled products, household hazardous waste, kid's section, energy conservation, composting and dozens of other resources
• Hazardous Substance Research Centers - exploring the practical problems of hazardous substance management as well as long-term, exploratory research
• Global Recycling Network - comprehensive Recycling Information and Trading Resource on the Internet. It offers a one-stop solution to recycling information needs

OSW Software and Databases This web page provides links to various software and databases developed by the Office of Solid Waste.

RCRA FAQs Database enables users to search frequently asked questions or submit their own question or comment on a variety of RCRA issues and topics. Before searching, view the search tips.

RCRA Online is a database that is designed to enable users to locate documents, including publications and other outreach materials, that cover a wide range of RCRA issues and topics.

RCRA Monthly Reports Archive of monthly Call Center reports that include frequently asked regulatory questions and answers that have been approved by EPA, and summaries of the month's Federal Registers and publications.

RCRA Training Modules Archive of Call Center training modules that provide an overview of a specific regulatory topic. These modules are useful resources for people wishing to gain a general understanding of RCRA, but they are not comprehensive sources of regulatory information.

Science Inventory is a searchable, Agency-wide catalog of current, recently completed, and archived science activities and products. It contains thousands of records providing information such as project descriptions, contacts for additional information and electronic links to related work and final reports. Users can perform keyword searches or can search within specific science topics such as, genomics, tribal science, and children’s health.

Small Business Are you a small business? Do you want to know if your waste is regulated or how to reduce the amount of waste you generate? To learn more about these topics and find environmental information and resources for small businesses, visit the links on this website.

Trade Groups and Environmental Associations

• Air and Waste Management Association - a nonprofit technical, scientific and educational organization with a long history of dedication to critical environmental decision making
• Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO) - focuses on the needs of state hazardous waste programs, nonhazardous municipal solid waste and industrial waste programs
• Environmental Industry Association Interactive (EIA) - represents about 2,000 companies that manage solid, hazardous, and medical wastes; manufacture and distribute waste equipment; and offer related pollution-prevention services.
• Environmental Technology Council Hazardous Waste Resource Center - a trade association of commercial environmental firms that recycle, treat and dispose of industrial and hazardous wastes, and firms involved in cleanup of contaminated sites.
• Glass Packaging Institute - provides instantly accessible information on the glass container industry
• Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) - national trade association representing companies that process, broker, and consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, and textiles
• International City/County Management Association (ICMA) - the professional and educational association for administrators serving local governments around the world
• Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic Development Officials (MACREDO) - an organization of recycling and economic development interests of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. It's mission is to identify, promote, and implement projects and programs that enhance recycling and economic development opportunities on a regional basis.
• The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) - dedicated to the advancement of the environmental professions in the U.S. and abroad
• National Association of Counties - represents county governments; special projects include the environment and sustainable communities
• National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) - comprehensive information, research on critical state issues, and informative publications
• National League of Cities - the country's largest and most representative organization serving municipal governments
• National Recycling Coalition - a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and improvement of recycling, source reduction, composting, and reuse by providing technical information, education, training, outreach, and advocacy services to its members in order to conserve resources and benefit the environment
• National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) - part of the environmental industry associations which represents companies providing products and services for a better environment
• Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) - advancing the practice of environmentally and economically sound municipal solid waste management

What You Can Do This website provides tips for consumers on solid and hazardous waste issues, such as recycling, dealing with used oil, reducing solid waste, composting and medical waste.

Window to My Environment allows users to easily access comprehensive information about air, land, and water by entering a zip code. The "window" integrates environmental data with local geographical features by pulling together information from several EPA databases.

Recycling Publications

America's Marketplace Recycles: A Guide to Waste Reduction at Shopping Centers

Assessment of the Office of Solid Waste’s (OSW) 35% Municipal Solid Waste Recycling National Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) Goal for 2005
Adobe PDF File [277 KB]

Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste

Collecting Used Oil for Recycling/Reuse: Tips for Consumers Who Change Their Own Motor Oil and Oil Filters
Adobe PDF File [218 KB] || en Español [1124 KB]

Collection Efficiency: Strategies for Success
Adobe PDF File [912 KB]

Composting Yard Trimmings and Municipal Solid Waste
Adobe PDF File [6,681 KB]

Complex Recycling Issues: Strategies for Record-Setting Waste Reduction in Multifamily Dwellings
Adobe PDF File [365 KB]

Consumer Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste

Cutting the Waste Stream in Half: Record-Setters Show How (Report)
Adobe PDF File [1639 KB]

Decision-Makers Guide to Solid Waste Management

Extended Product Responsibility: A Strategic Framework for Sustainable Products
Adobe PDF File [541 KB]

Financing Guide for Recycling Businesses

Getting More for Less: Improving Collection Efficiency
Adobe PDF File [880 KB]

Green Advertising Claims
Adobe PDF File [1079 KB]

Implementation of the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act
Adobe PDF File [848 KB] || ASCII Text File [37 KB]

It's Easy Being Green: A Guide to Planning and Conducting Environmentally Aware Meetings and Events

Managing Used Oil: Advice for Small Businesses

Measuring Recycling: A Guide for State and Local Governments

Multifamily Recycling: A Golden Opportunity for Solid Waste Reduction
Adobe PDF File [134 KB] || ASCII Text File [14 KB]

Multifamily Recycling: A National Study
Adobe PDF File [755 KB]

Puzzled About Recycling's Value? Look Beyond the Bin
Adobe PDF File [317 KB] || ASCII Text File [24 KB]

RCRA Training Module: Introduction to Used Oil
Adobe Acrobat PDF File [72 KB] || ASCII Text File [62 KB]

Recycle: You Can Make a Ton of Difference
Adobe PDF File [356 KB]

Recycling Guide for Native American Nations
AdobePDF File [230 KB] || ASCII Text File [26 KB]

Recycling Means Business
Adobe PDF File [1689 KB]

Recycling Works: State and Local Solutions to Solid Waste Management Problems
Adobe PDF File [2132 KB]

Reusable News - A periodic newsletter on Recycling Activities

Tribal Decision-Maker's Guide

Waste and Recycling Glossary

A to Z Subject Index

A * B * C * D * E * F * G * H * I * J * K * L * M
      N * O * P * Q * R * S * T * U * V * W * X * Y * Z

Scroll through the list of topics below to find your area of interest by keyword, or click on one of the letters above to jump to the corresponding location in the alphabetized list.

Waste Laws and Regulations

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the public law that creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and nonhazardous solid waste. This page contains:

• History of RCRA
• RCRA Regulations
• RCRA Guidance, Policy, and Resources

For more information on environmental laws and regulations, visit EPA's Laws and Regulations page.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download, to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader.

History of RCRA

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act —commonly referred to as RCRA— is our nation's primary law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Congress passed RCRA on October 21, 1976 to address the increasing problems the nation faced from our growing volume of municipal and industrial waste. RCRA, which amended the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965, set national goals for:

• Protecting human health and the environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal.
• Conserving energy and natural resources.
• Reducing the amount of waste generated.
• Ensuring that wastes are managed in an environmentally-sound manner.

To achieve these goals, RCRA established three distinct, yet interrelated, programs:

• The solid waste program, under RCRA Subtitle D, encourages states to develop comprehensive plans to manage nonhazardous industrial solid waste and municipal solid waste, sets criteria for municipal solid waste landfills and other solid waste disposal facilities, and prohibits the open dumping of solid waste.
• The hazardous waste program, under RCRA Subtitle C, establishes a system for controlling hazardous waste from the time it is generated units its ultimate disposal – in effect, from "cradle to grave".
• The underground storage tank (UST) program, under RCRA Subtitle I, regulates underground storage tanks containing hazardous substances and petroleum products.

RCRA banned all open dumping of waste, encouraged source reduction and recycling, and promoted the safe disposal of municipal waste. RCRA also mandated strict controls over the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. The first RCRA regulations, "Hazardous Waste and Consolidated Permit Regulations," published in the Federal Register on May 19, 1980 (45 FR 33066; May 19, 1980), established the basic "cradle to grave" approach to hazardous waste management that exists today.

RCRA was amended and strengthened by Congress in November 1984 with the passing of the Federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA). These amendments to RCRA required the phasing out land disposal of hazardous waste. Some of the other mandates of this strict law include increased enforcement authority for EPA, more stringent hazardous waste management standards, and a comprehensive underground storage tank program.

RCRA has been amended on two occasions since HSWA:

1. Federal Facility Compliance Act of 1992 — strengthened enforcement of RCRA at Federal facilities.
2. Land Disposal Program Flexibility Act of 1996 (PDF File, 5 pp., 24 KB) —provided regulatory flexibility for land disposal of certain wastes.

RCRA focuses only on active and future facilities and does not address abandoned or historical sites which are managed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)—commonly known as Superfund.

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RCRA Regulations

RCRA provides, in broad terms, the general guidelines for the waste management program envisioned by Congress. It includes a Congressional mandate directing EPA to develop a comprehensive set of regulations to implement the law. These regulations, or rulemakings, issued by EPA, translate the general mandate of the law into a set of requirements for the Agency and the regulated community.

When a regulation is formally proposed, it is published in the Federal Register to notify the public of EPA’s intent to create new regulations or modify existing ones. EPA provides the public, including the potentially regulated community, with an opportunity to submit comments. Following an established comment period, EPA may revise the proposed rule based on both internal review and public comments. All final rules are compiled annually and incorporated into the Code of Federal Regulations.

The RCRA regulations are contained in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 239 through 299. The CFR is a collection of all federal regulations codified and enforced by all federal agencies. Title 40 – Protection of the Environment contains all of the regulations governing EPA's programs.

40 CFR Parts 239 through 259 contain the regulations for solid waste, while Parts 260 through 279 contain the hazardous waste regulations. The requirements for underground storage tanks, which are also regulated under RCRA, are located in 40 CFR Part 280. A list of all regulations with links to the regulatory text is provided below:

Solid Waste Regulations

• Part 239 – Requirements For State Permit Program Determination Of Adequacy
• Part 240 – Guidelines For The Thermal Processing Of Solid Wastes
• Part 243 – Guidelines For The Storage And Collection Of Residential, Commercial, And Institutional Solid Waste
• Part 246 – Source Separation For Materials Recovery Guidelines
• Part 247 – Comprehensive Procurement Guideline For Products Containing Recovered Materials
• Part 254 – Prior Notice Of Citizen Suits

• Part 255 – Identification Of Regions And Agencies For Solid Waste Management

• Part 256 – Guidelines For Development And Implementation Of State Solid Waste Management Plans

• Part 257 – Criteria For Classification Of Solid Waste Disposal Facilities And Practices

• Part 258 – Criteria For Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

• Part 259 [Reserved]

Hazardous Waste Regulations

• Part 260 – Hazardous Waste Management System: General
• Part 261 – Identification And Listing Of Hazardous Waste
• Part 262 – Standards Applicable To Generators Of Hazardous Waste
• Part 263 – Standards Applicable To Transporters Of Hazardous Waste
• Part 264 – Standards For Owners And Operators Of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, And Disposal Facilities
• Part 265 – Interim Status Standards For Owners And Operators Of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, And Disposal Facilities
• Part 266 – Standards For The Management Of Specific Hazardous Wastes And Specific Types Of Hazardous Waste Management Facilities
• Part 267 – Standards For Owners And Operators Of Hazardous Waste Facilities Operating Under A Standardized Permit
• Part 268 – Land Disposal Restrictions
• Part 270 – EPA Administered Permit Programs: The Hazardous Waste Permit Program
• Part 271 – Requirements For Authorization Of State Hazardous Waste Programs
• Part 272 – Approved State Hazardous Waste Management Programs
• Part 273 – Standards For Universal Waste Management
• Part 279 – Standards For The Management Of Used Oil
• Part 280 – Technical Standards And Corrective Action Requirements For Owners And Operators Of Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
• Part 281 – Approval Of State Underground Storage Tank Programs
• Part 282 – Approved Underground Storage Tank Programs

• Parts 283 to 299 [Reserved]

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RCRA Guidance, Policy, and Resources

EPA develops and issues guidance documents to provide instructions for implementing and complying with regulations. Guidance documents also elaborate on the Agency’s interpretation of the requirements of the Act.

Policy statements outline a position on a topic or specify procedures that should generally be followed. In many cases, policy statements are addressed to EPA staff, but some are addressed to the regulated community.

RCRA Online is an electronic database that indexes thousands of letters, memoranda, publications, and questions and answers issued by EPA's Office of Solid Waste (OSW). These documents include EPA interpretations of the RCRA regulations governing the management of solid, hazardous, and medical waste. RCRA Online allows users to locate documents through topical, full text, and advanced search functions. RCRA Online also allows users to view the actual text of the documents identified in a search.

Policy Database for Waste Management and Emergency Programs provides the public with online access to EPA policy documents from the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) and the EPA Regional waste and emergency response programs. This database contains the policy, guidance, and interpretive documents that the Agency intends to use or rely on for the implementation and enforcement of its statutes and regulations.

RCRA Orientation Manual provides introductory information on the solid and hazardous waste management programs under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Designed for EPA and state staff, members of the regulated community, and the general public who wish to better understand RCRA, this document constitutes a review of the RCRA program and is not a substitute for RCRA or its implementing regulations.

RCRA Training Modules provide overviews of specific RCRA regulatory topics, for example, corrective action, exclusions, financial assurance, and permits. Two modules in particular provide a statutory overview of RCRA (PDF, 34 pp., 83 KB) and an overview of other laws that interface with RCRA (PDF, 27 pp., 114 KB).

RCRA in Focus (RIF) is a series of publications providing overviews of the RCRA regulations affecting specific industry sectors. Intended as a guide for small businesses, RIF presents the life cycle of a typical waste for each industry and focuses on recycling and pollution prevention options. Each issue contains a hazardous waste table of RCRA requirements for small businesses and answers frequently asked questions.

RCRA: Reducing Risk from Waste provides an overview of the RCRA solid and hazardous waste regulations. The document describes the history of RCRA, the role of EPA and the states, and hazardous waste definitions and management requirements (including the roles of generators, transporters, and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities). Information on hazardous waste minimization is also provided.

25 Years of RCRA: Building on Our Past to Protect Our Future (PDF File, 21 pp., 838 KB) provides an historical overview of the evolution of RCRA and it major accomplishments.

Beyond RCRA: Prospects for Waste & Materials Management in the Year 2020 is a discussion paper developed jointly by EPA and state environmental agencies to open and inspire discussion on the future for the RCRA program during the next 20 years. It identifies a number of trends that could affect the future of waste and materials management, resource conservation, and human and environmental health, and suggests general strategies and tools that might be used to build a new vision for the future of the RCRA program.

Definition of Waste - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Waste, rubbish, trash, or garbage is unwanted or undesired material.

There are a number of different types of waste. It can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas or as waste heat. When released in the latter two states the wastes can be referred to as emissions. It is usually strongly linked with pollution. Waste may also be intangible in the case of wasted time or wasted opportunities. The term waste implies things which have been used inefficiently or inappropriately.

Some components of waste can be recycled once recovered from the waste stream, e.g. plastic bottles, metals, glass or paper. The biodegradable component of wastes (e.g. paper & food waste) can be composted or anaerobicly digested to produce soil improvers and renewable fuels. If it is not dealt with sustainably in this manner biodegradable waste can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and by implication climate change ^[1].

There are two main definitions of waste. One view comes from the individual or organisation producing the material, the second is the view of Government, and is set out in different acts of waste legislation. The two have to combine to ensure the safe and legal disposal of the waste ^[2].