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Resources for Recycling in Specific Sectors

Image of recycling symbol.

Local governments can work with organizations in various sectors to reduce waste and increase recycling.

Event Recycling

EPA Recycle On the Go

The EPA Recycle on the Go initiative provides resources on recycling at events and in public spaces, including step-by-step information on how to set up a recycling program.

NERC Special Event Guide

The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) developed a guide for special event organizers and individuals responsible for waste management at special events in rural communities. See: Best Management Practices Guidebook for Special Event-Generated Waste in Rural Communities (PDF). (38 pp, 1.4MB, About PDF) Exit EPA Disclaimer

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Business Recycling

EPA WasteWise Program

The WasteWise program can provide technical assistance to businesses in your community to help them prevent waste, recycle, and buy recycled. The WasteWise Web site offers numerous resources on waste reduction at businesses and other types of organizations.

Oregon Packaging Reduction Web Site

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Exit EPA Disclaimer developed a Web site to help businesses prevent waste associated with packaging. The site includes descriptions of different methods for reducing packaging waste, checklists for evaluating packaging, and numerous other resources.

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School Recycling

Numerous school recycling resources are available for school administrators, teachers, and students that provide information on waste reduction; present ideas for classroom, after-school, and extra-credit activities; and provide lesson plans and school projects.

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C&D Materials

EPA estimates that 136 million tons of building-related C&D debris was generated in the United States in 1996. Reducing and recycling construction and demolition materials conserves landfill space, reduces the environmental impact of producing new materials, creates jobs, and can reduce overall building project expenses through avoided purchase/disposal costs.

EPA’s C&D Web site provides:

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Organic Materials

EPA’s Greenscapes program provides cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly solutions for landscaping. Designed to help preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution, GreenScapes encourages companies, government agencies, other entities, and homeowners to make more holistic decisions regarding waste generation and disposal and the associated impacts on land, water, air, and energy use.

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Industrial Non-Hazardous Waste

Reusing or recycling industrial, non-hazardous materials not only keeps them out of landfills, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves energy. EPA promotes the efficient management of industrial wastes through the beneficial use of secondary materials—industrial, non-hazardous wastes that can be reused and recycled.

Learn more about the beneficial use of secondary materials through EPA’s Web site on reusing and recycling industrial materials.

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Innovative Approaches for Increasing Participation in Residential Programs

Social Marketing

Social marketing is the use of commercial marketing concepts and techniques to target populations to achieve the goal of positive social change. Communities around the country are using social marketing strategies to increase recycling rates.

Pay-As-You-Throw

Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Programs (also known as unit pricing or variable-rate pricing) charge residents for the collection of municipal solid waste—based on the amount they throw away. This creates a direct economic incentive to recycle more and to generate less waste. PAYT breaks with tradition by treating trash services just like electricity, gas, and other utilities.

Sampling of successes with PAYT programs:

Neighborhood Programs

Banning Disposal of Recyclable Materials

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