As industry leaders develop new and better ways to handle recyclable materials, many states and cities are debating the best way to deal with this potentially valuable resource. States like California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts (among others) have implemented mandatory recycling laws that require waste companies to sort and out and prevent the burial of recyclable materials in landfills. Mandatory recycling has some clear benefits, but is also complex, and has support and detractors across political parties.'

Source: yougov.com

Other states are considering measures as well, and we’re taking this opportunity to educate about the pros and cons of both plans, as well as offering products that help with the sorting process, on the commercial and individual level.

States with mandatory recycling:

Source: Recycling Today

What is Voluntary Recycling?

Voluntary recycling programs are ones that individual citizens choose to participate in, and which there are no penalties for non-participation. Some cities have city-sponsored recycling programs, while others rely on for-profit companies to literally take out the trash.

Community First

Voluntary recycling initiatives have seen enormous success over the years, with the number of recyclable materials entering landfills decreasing every year. In fact, over a fifteen year period from 1990 to 2005, over 9 million tons of trash found other uses instead of ending up in the landfill. (The good news is we’ve gotten better at recycling!)

Source: Lotus Live & U.S. Recycling Rates of Selected Materials in 2006 from MSW Facts and Figures 2006 (EPA)

Additionally, voluntary recycling programs are often run by companies that can ensure their profitability. Recycling can be an expensive operation, and forcing communities that cannot afford a mandatory recycling program to comply can often be costly, with much of those costs being passed onto the consumer. (And rural trash collection already poses its own challenges.)

The Downside of Voluntary Recycling: More Waste

The downside of voluntary recycling is fairly obvious: fewer recyclables end up seeing reuse. With voluntary recycling programs, it is up to the discretion of recycling companies what kind of materials they will take, and in many places, certain types of recyclable materials (like glass) are not recycled at all.

What is Mandatory Recycling?

Mandatory Recycling programs are ones which require individuals living within the area affected by the program or mandatory recycling laws to recycle or face fines or other penalties.

Efficiency Reigns

The principle behind mandatory recycling law is to create a more efficient, cost-effective, and earth-friendly system for disposal of materials. In states that utilize mandatory recycling, waste companies are required to keep to strict quotas of recyclable materials that enter landfills. Typically, trash collectors will keep track of where and when individuals are improperly recycling and will give notice and later levy fines.

Mandatory Recycling Cons: Less Choice, Potentially More Cost

While the net reduction in waste results in more efficient recycling process, many anti-mandatory recycling advocates say that the inspection and monitoring of trash results in less personal freedom and is a violation of privacy.

In some cases, mandatory recycling can also end up becoming an expensive proposition, costing $100 more per ton than the traditional processes in a landfill, but this is dependent on the structuring of the program and the types of material recycled.

Which to choose?

As with any hot-button issue, there are strong arguments for both options. We’ll likely continue to see debate for the immediate future, as there are pros and cons for both mandatory and volunteer recycling programs. You can see a list of mandatory programs here.

However, for your home or your business, we offer a variety of recycling receptacles so you can make sure that everything is well organized, whatever program your area offers.