| GRN Recycle Talk FAQ Answer |
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 10:25:22 -0400 (EDT) From: FRIEDMAN.FRED@EPA.GOV (Fred Friedman) Subject: RE: Percemntage of household waste (MUH)
April 6, 2000
Dear MUH,
The approximate percentage of what household wastes are recyclable, in terms of technical feasibility approaches 100%. However reality must accord with markets for the materials, and that means approximately double the current national average of what is recycled of municpal solid waste. The latest figures are for 1997 when 28% of MSW was being recycled. From what we know of what markets are not at capacity, and the percentages of eg metals and paper, tires and electronics recyclable, that means about 55% could be processed, remanufactured and resold in new products, provided that you and millions like you would buy the products.
Where to get basic facts on recycling? The Archives at this site, Office of Solid Waste and JTR at the US EPA website, National Recycling Coalition website are 3 internet avenues to begin to find what you seek. See especially EPA's Characterization of MSW in the US 1998 edition.
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