It's no longer enough to separate your recyclables from the garbage for collection by the local recycler. To close the recycling loop you must buy recycled products to create markets for those materials collected in Illinois' recycling programs. Without markets, separated recyclables will likely end up back with the garbage in the local landfill. If you're not buying recycled, you're not recycling!
Illinois Solid Waste
Illinois along with the rest of the nation is facing a solid waste disposal crisis. In 1987 there were 146 active landfills in Illinois. There were 58 landfill in Illinois as of January 1, 1998. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) projected in November of 1999 that the landfill capacity is sufficient to handle solid waste for the next 17 years. However, they noted the landfill capacity varies substantially throughout the state. The Chicago metropolitan area, for example, with about 66 percent of the state population, has only 6.8 years of remaining capacity at current usage rate.
Along with the decrease in the number of landfills available for disposal has come the increase in public awareness and the boom of recycling in Illinois. The overall percentage of recycled solid waste statewide was estimated at 28 percent for 1998. "This increase in recycling is a tribute to the hard work of our citizens, as well as increased awareness of the value of recycling created by local solid waste agencies, counties and municipalities," stated Illinois EPA Director Tom Skinner.
While these numbers are impressive, the reality is consisted stable markets for recycled materials continues to be one of the greatest challenges for recyclers.
However, for Illinois to meet the recycling goals set in the Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act, the general public must be in active pursuit of recycled content products, helping to create markets for the recycled materials collected throughout the state.
What Is a Recycled Product?
Whether you are buying recycled products for your home or business it is important to understand the terminology used by manufacturers. Currently, there is not a national consensus on the standards, definitions or symbols used for "recycled" products. As a result, recycled content claims can be confusing and misleading. The following are general definitions used by the National Recycling Coalition that you should become familiar with:
Recycled simply means that a product contains some recovered material.
Recovered materials is a broad term, covering both "pre-consumer" and "post-consumer" materials.
Post-consumer materials are used materials such as corrugated containers, office paper, pallets, packaging materials, drums, newspaper, metal cans, plastic, and glass that are collected in office, commercial, and residential recycling programs. They have met their intended end use.
Pre-consumer materials are generated by the manufactures and product converters, such as envelope trimmings, damaged or obsolete products, and overruns.
Price and Availability of Products
There is a misconception that all recycled content products are higher in price and more difficult to find than non-recycled content products. This is simply not true. While some recycled content products are more expensive, there are many more that are competitive in price and right on your store's shelf. An example is tissue products. When recycled products are more expensive and not readily available, it is generally due to a small manufacturer competing in a market controlled by larger corporations.
Making a commitment to purchasing recycled products can have a huge impact on the availability and price. As consumer demand for recycled products increases, the supply will also increase, resulting in more competitive pricing.
Quality of Products
When you hear someone complain about the quality of recycled content products they are likely relating an experience that occurred several years ago. Today, recycled products are equal to or better than non-recycled products. Due to consumer demand for quality, and the fierce competition with non-recycled products, most manufactures will guarantee their products.
Getting Started
Buying recycled products is one of the easiest ways to become involved in recycling with or without a recycling program in your area. All it takes is a commitment from you to seek out recycled products in the stores you frequent.
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries recommends helping the environment by purchasing useful, attractive and reasonably priced items made from recycled materials not only for yourself but for gifts. They suggest the following:
For gardeners, look for hoses made from recycled rubber, flower pots made from recycled plastics, and any metal tool, since it is likely to contain recycled metals.
For homeowners, give a welcome mat made from recycled plastic or rubber.
Children and adults who enjoy crafts will welcome colorful beads made from recycled glass to create festive jewelry, tree ornaments, and household decorations.
Food fanciers will enjoy beverages in bottles made from recycled glass.
Outdoor sports enthusiasts will be well insulated in thermal underwear and T-shirts made from recycled plastics, and in jackets filled with recycled plastic fibers rather than down.
Complete your gifts with greeting cards and wrapping paper made from recycled paper.
Major References:
Buy Recycled; Pam Walkenbach, University of Illinois Extension
Illinois EPA Report: Landfill Capacity Continues to Increase; November 30, 1999
