Landfilling vs. Recycling
According to EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), the recycling rate in the United States in 2014 is 34.6%, almost 5 times of the rate 50 years ago. However, this increasing trend has been slowing down since 2010. Also, materials worth around $9 billion are discarded each year. Among all types of MSW discards, food, accounting for 21.1%, is thrown away the most. Second it is plastics, 17.7%, and then paper & paperboard, 15.15%. Professor Thomas Kinnaman from Bucknell University pointed out that U.S. does not create more trash than other countries, but lags behind other leading countries around the globe, such as Austria and Germany. Both countries keep recycling rates above 62%, almost double the rate of the U.S.
Based on landfill measurements from a research team, led by Jon Powell from Yale University, each American sent about 1,871 pounds of waste into landfill in 2013. Together, Americans toss away enough trash every day to fill 63,000 garbage trucks. Those thrown away trash in a year, if lined up, could connect a path way over 100,000 miles. The U.S. landfill capacity crisis starts to create tension in the U.S. Recycling industry. Data from Waste Business Journal discloses that the U.S. landfill capacity is expected to lose 15.6% in 2021, as compared to that in 2015. At this loss rate, only 15 years’ worth of capacity will remain in 2021. Besides, toxins, leachate and greenhouse gas are three major problems related to landfilling, which cannot be perfectly conquered for now.
According to a survey among American and publicized on Statista in 2017, only 15% of respondents know Zero Waste Movement and 63% have no idea of what it is. However, given the limited capacity of landfills as well as other environmental concerns, closing the loop on waste generation should be adopted by all corporates. In addition to green practices, Zero Waste initiative could guide a company on operation efficiency, cost savings, risk management, revenue stream exploration and etc. As to a community or a society, Zero Waste initiative is a fast and cost effective strategy to act against greenhouse gas emission and related climate issues. Comparing to recycling management, Zero Waste aims for ultimate waste elimination from the source.
According to the report "Trash in America" released by U.S. PIRG in 2018, "90% of materials are ultimately dumped or burned." Even though a circular economy backed by Zero Waste is the goal, it is hard to be achieved directly without undergoing previous stages, such as recycling management.
Zero Waste is never too far to be realized. Not only for each business's own sakes, but for the environment and wellness of the whole society, every business should start taking actions today.
As one case result shown on the left, The Astor Company has successfully helped its clients in leveraging Zero Waste practices to cut down expenses. Beyond the financial aspect, we helped the client to optimize work flow and stregthen its environmental responsible image.
