US Recycling Infrastructure Overview
In 2017 the United States approximately had 268 million tons of municipal solid waste. 53% of that waste was sent to landfills, while only 25% was recycled. What does recycling in the United States look like, and why does it matter? While recycling differs by location and commodity there are three main steps.
TSS Thermalist
July 4, 2022 | R value, Sustainable Leadership
US Recycling Infrastructure Overview
In 2017 the United States approximately had 268 million tons of municipal solid waste. 53% of that waste was sent to landfills, while only 25% was recycled. What does recycling in the United States look like, and why does it matter? While recycling differs by location and commodity there are three main steps:
- Collection: A private hauler or a government entity collects the recyclable materials.
- Processing: The materials are transported to a processing facility. At the facility the recyclables are sorted, cleaned, and prepared for transport to a milling facility or manufacturing facility.
- Remanufacturing: Recyclables are made into new feedstocks at a recycling plant or other facility, such as a paper mill or plastic recycling facility.
Some of the benefits of recycling may seem obvious, such as reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators and preventing pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials. However, recycling also benefits the economy by saving energy and using a domestic source for material. Recycling also benefits the community by supporting American manufacturing and creating local jobs.
At Thermal Shipping Solutions, we’re committed to keeping packaging out of landfills. Products like our RenewMailer is the first and only thermal mailer that can be recycled curbside. Not only lightweight, saving you on shipping costs, but the RenewMailer is manufactured by extracting waste from the current waste stream. This mailer reimagines what’s possible with sustainable packaging.
For larger temperature controlled packages, our Renewliners are comparable to Styrofoam in terms of thermal performance but sourced from PET, the world’s most recyclable plastic. Renewliners are also manufactured by extracting waste from the current waste stream and can be recycled curbside. They are lightweight for lower shipping costs, and made with the fastest production process on the market. Keep Styrofoam out of landfills by switching to Renewliners.
Thermal Shipping Solutions is committed to building a greener future without sacrificing quality. Join the innovation. Become a Thermalist today.
