Recycling Regulations
Recycling is the process of
reusing materials that are potentially useful, once they have been refurbished
or salvaged from waste and discarded material. This is primarily done not only for
economical reasons but to also save the ever depleting raw materials and
natural resources, be more energy efficient, reduce pollution and carbon
footprint and to also ensure that toxic, hazardous and expensive materials are
extracted and appropriately consumed or disposed. Many different types of materials
can be recycled – such as paper, metal, glass, plastic, textile and
electronics. Typically, materials that are to be recycled are collected from
household and industrial waste and then brought to a recycling center, where
they are sorted, cleaned and reprocessed to produce the recycled material.
Recycling Regulations
For a recycling initiative to be
successful as well as financially viable, it has to be ensured that a large and
stable supply of recycling material is made available to it for a long time.
Legislation has played an important role in this, by implementing laws that
make collection of recyclable material mandatory, through ‘container deposit
legislation’ and bans of refuse.
The Role of EPA in Recycling
Regulations
The United States Environmental
Protection Agency (also referred to as the EPA), is the federal agency
responsible for all matters related to waste material disposal, treatment and
recycling; while also ensuring that the environment is protected. The EPA
therefore formulates regulations pertaining to recycling, treatment of hazardous
wastes, landfill regulations, as well as for setting recycling targets. While
the EPA is responsible for the above at a national level, recycling legislation
is also localized at a state or city level.
Ban on Landfills
Certain states in the US (namely
North Carolina, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin) have put a ban on landfills,
thereby making it illegal to dispose of certain items (such as yard waste, oil,
etc.) without recycling. Further, the National Computer Recycling Act makes it
illegal to dispose of CRTs in landfills. Not only dumping in landfills is a
waste of precious recyclable material, it may also lead to contamination of
ground water with hazardous materials and toxins.
Container Deposit Legislation
Many US states (namely
California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts,
Michigan, New York, Oregon and Vermont) have a legislation that mandates the
collection of a deposit whenever liquids such as carbonated drinks, milk, water
or alcohol are sold in recyclable bottles and containers. However, this deposit
is totally or partially refunded when these are returned in designated
collection centers, which then aggregate all the recyclable material and send
it onwards to recycling plants. The deposit is generally about five cents (with
the highest being 10 cents in Michigan).
Other Regulations
Some states (such as California
and Illinois) have recycling targets. Cities like New York City and Seattle
have laws that penalize citizens for throwing away recyclable materials.
Additionally, governments also give incentives for running voluntary programs
that encourage and educate people with the benefits of recycling.
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