Municipal Commercial Recycling

Abstract

As recycling programs achieve success and gain popularity throughout U.S. communities, local governments are confronted with “doing more” in the environmental arena; yet with mounting state and federal government pressure, local governments must increase municipal waste diversion rates. Although commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors generate the largest percentage of the waste stream, they are generally not part of municipal recycling programs at rates of nearly 40% and 60%. Consequently, local governments are turning to these sectors for relief. Using an evaluation of the promises and pitfalls of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg commercial recycling experience and a survey of area businesses about recycling practices, the authors explore challenges confronting municipal commercial recycling and discern associated difficulties. Crucial to program establishment and commercial-sector participation are the time required for participation and its convenience. The authors find that local governments are best suited to manage commercial recycling programs because of the increased public-private collaboration and cooperation required for success.