Why Do It

• Kansas is in the top tier of states with curbside recycling programs.
• In 1997, recycling and composting activities prevented nearly 61 million tons of material from ending up in landfills and incinerators.
• Today, the U.S. recycles 28% of its waste, a rate that has almost doubled in the last 15 years.
• During the last 30 years, recycling (and composting) have undergone a phenomenal surge in popularity and success. Analysts project that Americans will be recycling and composting at least 83 million tons, or 35% of all municipal waste, by 2005.
• While recycling has grown in general, recycling of specific materials has grown even more drastically:

  • 42% of all paper
  • 35.5% of all plastic soft drink bottles
  • 59.5% of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans
  • 61% of all steel packaging
  • 92% of all automobiles
  • 64.3% of all major appliances are now recycled.

• Since 1980, the number of U.S. curbside recycling programs has grown from 1 to 9,000, with an additional 12,000 recyclable drop-off centers.
• As of 1997, 380 materials recovery facilities had been established to process collected materials.
• Since 1960, recycling rates have grown from 5.6 million tons per year to 77 million tons per year.
• More than 75% of Americans have access to community-based recycling programs.
• There are 1,859 business engaged in handling and/or reclaiming recyclables. And that stimulates the economy.