Recycling in Connecticut

If you read, “Plastics: A More than Micro Problem,” featured in this paper in November, you are aware that plastics are everywhere. You are also aware that production of plastics is set to increase in the coming decades.

Considering this, steps have been taken to try and reduce our consumption of new plastics. One of these steps comes in the form of recycling. What is collected and what isn’t? Is recycling effective? And can it help reduce our use of non-renewables and energy? Answering these questions is the goal of this article.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials, that would otherwise be thrown away as trash, and turning them into new products.”[i] The EPA goes on to relate that the collection of recyclables is performed “by a private hauler or government entity.”[ii] There are items which are acceptable, and which are unacceptable for collection by Connecticut’s residential mixed recycling program.

Before we delve into what can and can’t be recycled, we should first discuss the symbol we tend to associate with recycling. The symbol is three arrows with a number in the middle.[iii]  An article by the Middle Tennessee State University discusses the symbol’s origins as being from the 70s.[iv] According to that article, the three chasing arrows signify what is called a Mobius loop, a mathematical symbol relating to continuity, and ever since, the 70s recycling.  “The (Mis)Understanding of the Symbol Associated with Recycling on Plastic Containers in the US: A Brief Report,” the researchers stated that the symbol also indicates the type of plastic used and that it may not mean the item will be accepted by the local recycling program. In fact, they state that if items are sent to be recycled that are not meant to be accepted by the local collection agency, they can cause issues. For those wondering, the Towns currently under MIRA’s “customer” list can recycle the following:

• Cardboard
• Glass Jars (food and drinking)
• Food cans

Regarding plastics, the following is listed as acceptable by MIRA:

• #1-2 Plastics (under 3 gallons – without their caps)
• Plastic #3-7 beverage and food containers (up to 3 liters)
• Large Plastic Items (ex: toys, coolers, buckets)

Still, there are items which need an extra step. According to USA Hauling & Recycling’s website, these items include:

Is Recycling Effective:

Several articles have covered the theme that “the United States Recycling program is broken.” For example, a 2023 article, published by the University of Berkely’s California Management Review, stated that the U.S. Act which established recycling for the country back in 1976 has not been updated.[v] The article goes on to point out that regional differences in practice hamper overall effectiveness and leads to confusion. While recycling does help reduce the amount of waste that would head to landfills, the article cites the EPA in stating only, “32% of waste is being recycled or composted.”

The EPA did put out a statement acknowledging many of the issues presented by articles  including the University of Berkely article. In their statement, the EPA stated they wish to “increase the recycling rate to 50 percent by 2030.”[vi] The agency also stated in their objectives that they would increase recycling education and outreach.

According to Brenna Giannetti of Connecticut’s Office of Planning and Policy, “in 2023, DEEP estimates that 35% of Municipal Solid Waste generated in CT was diverted towards recycling or composting.” She adds that, “The 2023 annual disposal & diversion report is expected to be published in the next few months.” Connecticut seems to be above the average reported by the University of Berkely article. With more awareness it may reach even closer to the EPA goal.

Recycling, Raw Materials, and Energy Conservation:

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “94% of the natural resources used by Americans are non-renewable.”[vii] Non-renewable meaning they have a limited quantity and/or take a long time to be replenished.[viii] With recycling there’s a chance of being able to reuse those finite resources and reduce the need for mining, harvesting, or extracting more. NIH stated, in reference to the year 2010, that if we did not recycle, 80% more wood would have been needed for paper production. They added that with recycling only 20% more would be needed. Reduction of raw materials used is not the only benefit of recycling. Energy is conserved as well. NIH added that, “Recycled steel saves 60% production energy, recycled newspaper 40% production energy, recycled plastics 70% production energy, and recycled glass 40% production energy.”

Conclusion:

Recycling is a system aimed at reusing what we already have available. By doing so, we can save material and minerals, reduce energy use and our consumption of new products. While the national average of recycling is still lower than EPA’s 2030 goal, if each one of us does our part, we become ever closer to reaching the target. This may take an extra step by bringing recyclables to a participating collector or finding a donation center for things that cannot be collected. In the end, whatever keeps waste out of the landfills is a good objective to have.