Recycling: An answer waiting for a solution

Journal Article · · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:5281283

Relis, P ^[1]

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1. California Integrated Waste Management Board, Sacramento (United States)

The author notes that more than one billion tons of waste was recycled in the US in 1990; this could grow to more than three billion tons by 2000. While recycling offers obvious advantages in reducing the nation's growing volumes of solid waste, it carries with it problems of its own, some of which reach well beyond the field of solid-waste management. The basic problem is the shortage of markets for recycled materials. Programs have developed haphazardly on the local level, usually emphasizing separation and collection with little attention to market development. As a result, oversupply has depressed prices and created confusion. The implications are widespread. The federal government, which has only recently awakened to the problem, should move swiftly to assess national and international supply and demand for secondary commodities and to coordinate state and local laws mandating recycling.

• OSTI ID: 5281283
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States) Vol. 7:1; ISSN 0887-8218; ISSN FARPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
320604 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MANAGEMENT
MARKET
MATERIALS RECOVERY
PROCESSING
RECYCLING
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SOLID WASTES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES