Recycling in New York State has the ability to capture much more of the waste stream than is currently being realized. Just about everyone has access to easy recycling through municipal or other programs. But financial shortfalls for the programs, complex materials, and lack of education limit the effectiveness.
On this episode of Deeper Shade of Green, Kathryn Walker, Executive Director for the Center for Sustainable Materials Management at SUNY ESF explains findings of the Recycling Needs Assessment. Better recycling could reduce costs consumers pay through prices and taxes. It could also have environmental benefits, keeping trash and pollutants out of landfills. And better recycling might help create a more 'circular' economy, in which less raw materials need to be mined or extracted, reducing energy use and other pollution. She notes responsibility for packaging and other waste could be shifted to producers to help improve recycling.
Research, guest scheduling and production help for Deeper Shade of Green by Hector Perez. Music created by Kat Kollins.
