IWRC. Member Survey Report 1 PROCESSING ~ Making Recycling Work. September 1990 REMANUFACTURING. Waste Recyclers Council

Transcription

1 - IWRC Waste Recyclers Council Member Survey Report 1 PROCESSING ~ REMANUFACTURING Making Recycling Work September 1990

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3 9 Million Tons of Material Handled by WRC In 1989 In 1989, members of the Waste Recyclers Council (WRC) reported handling 9 million tons of recyclable materials. This represents greater than a 30% increase over Members handled a greater diversity of materials than in previous years; most notably, more companies recovered metals, glass, plastic, and hard-tohandle wastes. Waste paper and scrap metal accounted for over 80% of the total tonnage collected, with 97 of 150 survey respondents handling these materials. Sixty-four companies reported collecting almost 800,000 tons of glass; 38 reported handling plastics totalling 100,000 tons -- an increase of five times the amount of plastics handled in Collection of hard-tohandle wastes such as tires, lead-acid batteries, and used oil also increased in Table 1 lists the survey results for each material. Materials Handled by WRC* 1989 Survey Results Total: 9 Million Short Tons C & D Debis (4.4%) / Plastic (1.1%) Glass (8.8%) WRC Members also handled 8.5 million gallons of used oil. *Material handled by WRC Mill Members accounts for roughly 1 million tons of paper tonnclge reported. Table 1 Product Tonnage Handled By WRC Members in 1989 Number of Product Tonnage Companies Product Tonnage Number of Companies (41.6O&) Newspaper Cardboard HighGrade - Mixed Total Paper (40.2%). Aluminum Nonferrous - Ferrous Total Metal 920,000 2,111, , ,000 3,747, ,000 (8.8Y4 C&D Debris 14.4Y4 Concrete Asphalt - Wood Total C&D Debris 551.OOO 3,026;OOO 3,621, , ,000 2, , , Yard WsSe 17 lo&) 185,000 Other (1.7%) Tires Batteries - Other Total Other ;OOO 1, , *:- I4 401 \,riaauk I I. I roc PET 58,000 HDPE 30,000 LDPE Other 12,000 Total Plastic 100,000 - Total Materials (1 ooy

4 Growth Since 1987 Total Materials Handled WRC Members have increased their overall investment in recycling dramatically since Members reported spending over $362 million for facilities and equipment to collect and process recyclable materials, and made capital improvements to upgrade the quality of their recycling business. Over $362 Million Invested In Recycling Table 2 Comparison oflnvestments (in millions) As Table 2 shows, based on data from the 65 companies that participated in the WRC survey each year since 1987, recycling businesses have significantly increased their financial commitment to recycling each year Total Capital Investments * $1 00 $1 85 $270 * Totals reflect baseline of 65 companies that provided data

5 Profile of WRC Recycling Activities Collection Sewices COMMERClAL Over 75% of the 150 respondents provide recycling services to commercial accounts. Members reported handling corrugated and waste paper with greater frequency than other recoverable materials. RESlDENTlAL WRC members provide residential recycling collection services for over 3.3 million households in North America. Sixty-eight companies reported providing curbside collection of recyclables to households-- roughly 45% of the survey respondents. Approximately 30% of the respondents have municipal contracts to perform curbside collection services. 3.3 Million Households Were Served by WRC Companies in 1988, Double Last Year s Figure. MIXED TRASH Roughly one-third of WRC members reported sorting recyclables from mixed trash before transporting the remaining waste to a disposal facility. Other Sewices Provided By WRC Members CoNsu LTlNG A dozen members reported providing consulting services such as: market analyses, feasibility studies, engineering services, and implementation assistance for both the public and private sectors. COMPOSTING Eighteen WRC members reported operating their own composting facility.

6 Profile of the People Behind the Recycling Industry YEARS OF RECYCLING EXPERlENCE Given the recent explosion in recycling activities, WRC members long-standing experience in the recycling industry is worth noting. Respondents to the survey have an average of 25 years of recycling experience and roughly 50% have been in the recycling business for over 20 years. WRC Members Have Been in the Recycling Business an Average of 25 Years. COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE Owners and managers of WRC member companies tend to be community leaders. Over 70% of the respondents serve on planning boards or hold public office. Recycling Experience of WRC Members v) 5 40 n u) I? 30 w e al a 10...,..., < >20 Years in the Business A Range of Primary Businesses Make Up the WRC The Waste Recyclers Council was formed as a constituency group of NSWMA in September, The Council consists of over 250 independent companies who are involved in solid waste recycling. They are collectors, processnrg, hm&rs md end-users of e,q&&le materials. Since 1988, the distinctions between consuming mills and broker/processors have become more difficult to make. An increasing number of WRC members have expanded their businesses beyond collection to include process II ~urreru VVAL Table 3 iviemuersnrp I, - I, Prima rv. Busin esg Waste Hauler #of Companies 225 Broker/Processor 19 Consuming Mill 6 Other 4, TOTAL 254 I I

7 Recycling Program Accomplishments 1989 Public Policy During 1989, the Waste Recyclers Council identified recycling policy positions and used these positions as the basis for commenting on a number of Federal and state legislative proposals pertaining to recycling. Specifically, WRC members and staff: - Met with key Congressional staff to express WRC views on the Federal government s role in recycling - Commented on proposed legislation in Arizona, Ohio, Georgia, and Maryland, and - - reviewed model bills developed by various coalitions and trade associations Developed the WRC recycling policy positions paper and scrap tire policy paper; both recommend appropriate roles for Federal and State governments Established the WRC Markets Committee to develop strategies for increasing market demand for secondary materials Membership Public Education/Outreach WRC membership services included: - Seminars and site tours on the business of recycling in Miami, Chicago, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and San Jose - Fact sheets and special reports including The Future of Newspaper Recycling and Recycling in the States WRC staff handled over 250 recycling inquiries each month from a variety of sources including municipal and state officials, commercial businesses, the press, and the public. Staff members spoke at numerous national and regional conferences to promote the role of the private sector in recycling. - Information packets on various recycling topics. To enhance the Council s ability to recruit and service members, the WRC established a membership committee early in 1990.

8 The Waste Recyclers Council The Waste Recyclers Council (WRC) is a constituency group of the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA). Its members derive revenue from the handling of post-consumer waste materials for the purpose of recycling. They include collectors, processors, brokers, and end-users of recyclable materials. The WRC works to expand markets for recyclable materials and to promote the role of the private sector in recycling. For more information contact: Waste Recycling Programs Copyright 1990 by NSWMA National Solid Wastes Management Association 1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Suite 1000 Washington, DC Printed on recycled paper