[GreenYes] Is MSW recycling the best policy?

[Stephan Pollard <stephan.pollard@no.address>]

All,

In the interest of opening up what has the potential to be an 
enlightening and healthy discussion I am curious as to the various 
perspectives people may have on the following cited peer-reviewed 
article's assertion that the goal of MSW recycling (presumedly that of 
the US) should not be to increase MSW recycling but rather to increase 
environmental quality and the sustainability of the economy" and that 
"from a review of the existing economic experience with recycling and an 
analysis of the environmental benefits (including estimation of external 
social costs)... for most communities, curbside recycling is only 
justifiable for some postconsumer waste, such as aluminum and other 
metals." 

The authors say that, "curbside recycling of postconsumer metals can 
save money and improve environmental quality if the collection, sorting, 
and recovery processes are efficient" and that "curbside collection of 
glass and paper is unlikely to help the environment and sustainability 
save in special circumstances."

The authors go on to suggest that deposit/refund schemes might be 
advantageous but that "if consumers make a special trip to return 
recoverable materials, the energy required is likely to exceed the 
energy saved by recovery."  In addition, that significant benefits might 
be accrued in product takeback schemes.

Best Regards,
Stephan


Lave, L.B., Hendrickson, C.T., Conway-Schempf, N.M., McMichael, F.C., 
1999. Municipal solid waste recycling issues. Journal of Environmental 
Engineering 125(10): 944-949.

*Abstract:*
Municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling targets have been set nationally 
and in many states. Unfortunately, the definitions of recycling, rates 
of recycling, and the appropriate components of MSW vary.  MSW recycling 
has been found to be costly for most municipalities compared to landfill 
disposal.  MSW recycling policy should be determined by the cost to the 
community and to society more generally.  In particular, recycling is a 
good policy only if environmental impacts and the resources used to 
collect, sort, and recycle a material are less than the environmental 
impacts and resources needed to provide equivalent virgin material plus 
the resources needed to dispose of the postconsumer material safely.  
 From a review of the existing economic experience with recycling and an 
analysis of the environmental benefits (including estimation of external 
social costs), we find that, for most communities, curbside recycling is 
only justifiable for some postconsumer waste, such as aluminum and other 
metals. We argue that alternatives to curbside recycling collection 
should be explored, including product takeback for products with a toxic 
content (such as batteries) or product redesign to permit more effective 
product remanufacture.


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