Dogwood Alliance

Recycling Adds Greater Economic Value than Throwing It All Away

It's a fact: recycling creates greater economic value than "throwing it all away." Yet for years, we have ignored the tremendous economic potential of recycling. Every ton of newspapers recycled and every ton of aluminum saved from the garbage heap creates jobs, expands manufacturing, and reduces operating costs for local businesses and households.  The California Integrated Waste Management Board estimates that meeting the state's 50 percent recycling goal will add $2 billion to California's economy and create over 45,000 new jobs over the next seven years.

Source: California Integrated Waste Management Board, "Meeting the Demand: A Market Development Plan for California." Sacramento: CIWMB. March 1993.

More facts on the economic benefits of recycling:

http://www.cawrecycles.org/facts_and_stats/recycling_means_business#job