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Four Methods of Collecting Recyclable Materials

Recycling consists of a sequence of activities, such as collecting materials, sorting them and eventually processing recyclables into raw materials to manufacture new products. Recycling has several benefits since it helps to conserve the natural environment and decreases the quantity of solid waste disposed in landfills. The concept of recycling has been adopted across the world, necessitating collection of residential recyclables. Although collection of recyclable materials differs across communities, four distinct methods are widely used.

  1. Curbside Collection

    • Municipal recycling programs may provide communities with plastic bags containing source identification codes distinct to each community. These bags are packed with separated recyclable materials from different homes, sealed and left at the curb for collection by waste haulers. It is estimated that in 2002, the number of curbside recyclable collection programs in United States stood at 8,875 serving 139.4 million people, according to National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA). This figure was a 9 percent decline from the previous year when there were 9,709 operational projects. Curbside collection is more common in the Midwest and Northeast states and less common in the West.

    Drop-off Centers

    • After separating the recyclables and putting them in special bags, individuals take these materials to centrally located collection sites such as charitable organizations, mobile collection stations or grocery stores. The materials are deposited in designated containers and taken to recycling plants. NSWMA data from 1997 indicated that there were 12,694 drop-off centers in United States. Drop centers are a preferable option of collecting recyclables in areas with sparse populations.

    Buy-back Centers

    • Buy-back centers are facilities where individuals or communities take recyclables and trade them for payment. This incentive is meant to encourage more people to take their recyclables to centers and maintain a steady supply. The centers sell the post-processed materials to make some money and sustain the process. Government subsidies might make buy-back centers more viable, since the recycled materials might fetch a lower price than the total amount used in recycling.

    Deposit Programs

    • In these programs, customers pay an additional fee when purchasing beverage containers but receive their fee back once they return the container to the purchase point. Some states with dime or nickel deposits include Hawaii, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Vermont, New York, Iowa, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. California has a similar program where customers don’t pay a deposit, but the containers are still redeemed.

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