state of recycling - action environmental group
TRANSCRIPT
THE STATE OF RECYCLING
Ron BergaminiCEO, Action Environmental
@ronaldbergamini |@ActionCarting
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TRUE OR FALSE?Recycling is a thriving business and the more we recycle, the more $$ we can make and the more we can ‘Save the
Planet’
ANSWERThe Recycling Industry is hurting right now!
But there’s a lot that we can all can do to ensure recycling can be efficient, profitable
and environmentally sustainable.
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Purpose of Today1. Review state of the recycling industry
2. Talk openly about recycling industry dynamics
3. Outline ways that everyone can help to ensure that recycling can be efficient, profitable, viable
4. Answer your recycling questions
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Action’s Commitment to Recycling Founded 1999 Mission: To be the largest, and most environmentally
responsible waste management and recycling company in NYC
We offer a variety of recycling services Composting
Recycling In NYC Can Be Challenging Tight streets, heavy traffic Heavily populated and diverse
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Serving NYC’s Biggest (and Smallest) Businesses
Award-Winning Bronx Recycling Facility (MRF)
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Award-Winning Bronx Recycling Facility (MRF)
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https://youtu.be/O_dHUd0ylI8
545,000 tons of Waste
99,000 tons of
Recycling
44,500tons Extracted From
Waste
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Diverted 143,500 Tons Of Recyclables From Landfills
The State of Recycling
Today
Low Oil Prices Low Commodities Worldwide
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China’s Demand Is Softening
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Is Glass Worth Recycling? Price of recycled glass (cullet) continues to rise, compared
to virgin glass Glass shards contaminate other recyclables
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Let’s Talk Openly About Recycling
Who Doesn’t Like Recycling? Saves materials from going to landfills
But… Recycling is still a manufacturing process
The more you recycle, the more trucks on the road More gas = more pollutants
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Recycling Is A Business If there isn’t anyone to buy what we all collect and
sort, then it’s not marketable. Compare energy for recycled bottle vs. virgin (new) Compare costs to burn (WTE) vs. recycling
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The Market Is Ever Changing The market for recyclables is ever changing: market
conditions, new technologies, new materials or types of packaging Oil, China, Glass Many lightweight materials are difficult, if not
impossible, to recycle, e.g., Capri Sun pouches ‘Complex’ products are difficult to separate into single
materials for recycling, e.g., iPhones
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All Sectors in the Recycling Process Can Play a Role in Helping to Ensure that Markets for Recycled Materials Are as Economic and Sustainable as Possible
Here’s How….
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Sectors And Their Roles in Recycling
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SORT
MAKE
BUY
Sectors & Their Roles in the Recycling Process
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Facilitators like us can:• Invest in sorting equipment• Find markets for recyclables
Producers: • Make products out of recyclable
materials• Design products to be easy to
disassemble
Consumers can:• Sort recyclables as cleanly as possible• Buy products that are made of recyclable
materials and that are made from of recycled content.
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Spread The Word About the Facts1. Recycling is not necessarily ‘environmentally
friendly’. Recycling is far better for the environment than landfills or incineration, but like any other manufacturing process it has its own impacts. So, it’s far better to reduce, and reuse, and then recycle.
2. We can keep recyclables out of landfills! Everyone can help: put recyclables in the bin, and our equipment to help sort it for recycling.
3. Recycling is not ‘free’. If it’s not economic, in our society and economy, it’s not going to happen. Everyone needs to help in order to create a thriving market.
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