How is recycling good for the economy?
According to a 1999 study by the National Recycling Coalition, the recycling and reuse industry consists of approximately 56,000 establishments that employ over 1.1 million people, generate an annual payroll of nearly $37 billion, and gross over $236 billion in annual revenues. This represents a significant force in the U.S. economy and makes a vital contribution to job creation and economic development. In Pennsylvania alone, the Department of Environmental Protection estimates that the recycling industry employs over 81,000 people, generates an annual payroll of $2.9 billion, and $18.4 billion in annual revenues. Recycling is a growth industry with many kinds of business opportunities, from waste management, to manufacturing, to the invention of new technologies. New businesses will create more jobs, produce more income, and improve our economy. Also, manufacturers who produce consumer goods and packaging with recycled content are able to reduce their needs for raw materials and ener
