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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 17, 1997
97-195
CONTACT: Sheryl Hutchison, Communications Director, 360-407-7004
Jim Pendowski, Program Manager, 360-407-6071
OLYMPIA, WA - After more than a decade of almost steady progress, recycling rates in Washington state have come to a standstill.
Analysis by the state Department of Ecology shows that state residents recycled 38.8 percent of their solid wastes (garbage) in 1996, compared to 39.4 percent in 1995. After adjusting for under-reporting of ferrous metals in 1996, analysts say the rates in both years actually were about equal -- but nevertheless they indicate that residents' and businesses' commitment to recycling may be weakening. Previously, Washington's recycling rate had grown by 262 percent from 1986 through 1995.
"We have had a friendly competition with other states to see who could recycle the most and improve the most, and we've always been at or near the top," said Jim Pendowski, program manager for Solid Waste & Financial Assistance. "It's disappointing to see our record slipping."
Although the overall recycling rate did not improve, there was improvement in some types of materials. For example, recycling of corrugated paper increased from 62 to 69 percent; nonferrous metals went from 43 percent to 64 percent; and LDPE plastics rose from 33 percent to 63 percent. Unfortunately, these were matched by declines in many other areas, such as refillable beer bottles, PET plastic bottles, aluminum cans and mixed-waste paper.
"Recycling programs have become increasingly available all over Washington, so there are more opportunities to recycle than ever before," Pendowski said. "The market for recycled products also has grown tremendously, and it is important to maintain a steady supply of materials to those manufacturers."
He said it is possible that education about recycling has dropped and people -- particularly new residents -- may be uncertain about what and where to recycle. He recommended that residents call Ecology's recycling hotline to learn more about recycling opportunities in their communities, as well as information about what materials are recyclable: 800-RECYCLE.
Pendowski noted that recycling helps preserve natural resources by avoiding the need to harvest forests and mine for ore. It also saves money by not filling landfills as rapidly -- and provides economic opportunities for businesses that perform recycling.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
