How Much Does it Cost to Recycle Materials?
The Facts Recycling began over 100 years ago when wood pulp became expensive and waste paper and rags were used to make new paper. Recycling scrap metal was introduced before World War II and glass soda bottle recycling became popular in the 1950s and 1960s. According to the National Institute of Health, in the mid 1990s, there were more 7,000 curbside recycling programs throughout the United States that served more than 108 million people. Collection Cost One important factor to consider when evaluating the cost benefits of recycling is the cost of collection, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Because recycling collection is typically done separately from trash collection, the cost associated with the service may be higher. In 1995, San Jose, California reported that it cost them $28 per ton to place waste into a landfill and $147 per ton to recycle. The difference in price can also be attributed to the fact the city hired a private company to recycle the materials
