What happens after materials are collected for recycling?
Materials are transported from home recycling bins to recycling businesses by curbside recycling programs, or more often in Montana, by citizens using drop-off bins that are collected by recycling programs and sent to recyclers. Employees at Montana s recycling businesses then sort, bale and prepare the materials according to processor specifications prior to shipment by rail or truck. Each material has its own market, with its own requirements. There are some markets within Montana for processed materials; however, because of our low manufacturing base, most materials are sent out of state. The State of Montana offers tax incentives to encourage more businesses to utilize recycled materials in operations and products and thereby create more in-state markets for recycled material.
