America to accelerate plastic recycling programs

Plastic Recycling  |  2011-06-01 09:02:15   |   By

The plastic recycling initiative in America is picking up as an estimated 94 percent of Americans have access to recycle their plastic bottles.

SONOMA (Scrap Monster): The plastic recycling initiative in America is picking up as an estimated 94 percent of Americans have access to recycle their plastic bottles.

According to study conducted by Moore Recycling Associates Inc. 40 percent of American population can also recycle other types of plastic containers, such as yogurt cups, dairy tubs and lids.

The study surveyed 2,468 cities with a population of 10,000 or more and a random sample of cities with a population of less than 10,000.

Each community´s access to curbside recycling was studied. If a curbside program was not found, the study looked for access to other collection programs such as municipal drop-off or dirty material recycling facilities.

However, according to Waste&Recycling News, the study did not look at recycling film plastics, a category that includes plastic bags and many product wraps. Also, no data was gathered for deposit programs or retail drop off programs.

A study conducted by the National Restaurant Association, in partnership with Georgia-Pacific Professional, revealed that roughly two-thirds of restaurants in US have recycling programs as part of their sustainability efforts.

In addition, efforts are being made by the authorities to step up collection and public awareness, so that more people take advantage of this opportunity to do something for the environment, and for the businesses that depend on it.