Recycling: Social evangelism or viable business

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Waste Age; (United States)

OSTI ID:7233889

McAdams, C L

Since the late 1980s much of the country's attention has been focused on the emotional and controversial aspects of managing municipal solid waste (MSW). As a result, recycling has often been positioned as a panacea for solid waste management. Much of the attention afforded recycling has focused on its social value. Recycling is a young and growing industrial solid waste management alternative, backed by an expanding commodities infrastructure and a developing marketplace. This new industry involves everything from mining'' and processing raw materials from the waste stream, to establishing viable end markets for products produced from recycled materials. Like all markets, these elements are subject to variations in pricing, uneven demand, and other economic forces. While the public has been focusing on other aspects of recycling, many within the business community have been developing a whole new industry that is beginning to show signs of maturity, permanence, and profit. Although affected by seasonal changes in the economy, there is growing demand for recyclables. Most importantly, recycling is now much more than a response to social concerns. It is more than a way to divert materials from landfills. It is an industry that has developed into what essentially amounts to a growing secondary raw materials market.

• OSTI ID: 7233889
• Journal Information: Waste Age; (United States), Journal Name: Waste Age; (United States) Vol. 25:4; ISSN WAGEAE; ISSN 0043-1001
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
MANAGEMENT
MARKET
MUNICIPAL WASTES
RECYCLING
SOLID WASTES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES