The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has made a significant discovery: America’s landfills are not just homes for waste but also hold enormous untapped economic potential. Their research reveals that paper and cardboard recycling has been over-reported, leading to a loss of $4 billion in economic value. Only 38% of paper and cardboard waste is recycled, and efforts to improve home recycling are essential to reduce deforestation.
The NREL study, focused on the geographic, market, and energy assessment of paper and cardboard waste, exposes glaring inefficiencies in the recycling system. The report emphasizes the need for improved waste management policies and technologies to enhance sorting and recovery efforts.
The study quantifies the volumes of waste and highlights the Southeastern U.S. as a major hotspot for landfilled paper and cardboard, where efforts to divert materials from landfills could have a significant impact.
Moreover, the economic value of landfilled paper and cardboard waste is estimated at $4 billion, equivalent to the energy needed for production, representing 9% of the U.S. industrial sector’s energy use in 2019. The study underscores the need for recycling policy changes to increase recycling rates and reduce the environmental impact of landfilling paper and cardboard.
- Design 100% of packaging for recyclability.
- Ensure 100% of homes have recycling collection services.
- Provide households with more information to improve recycling participation.
- Encourage companies to prioritize the use of recycled materials to create end markets for collected materials.
In conclusion, the NREL study highlights the environmental and economic impact of landfilling paper and cardboard, calling for improved waste management strategies to unlock energy, environmental, and economic benefits. By recognizing the hidden value in discarded materials, America can take a significant step towards a more sustainable circular economy.
