The Department of Environmental Protection this week released a report identifying options for raising revenues and reducing costs in local recycling programs and practical steps to move programs toward improving their financial sustainability.

There are more than 3,200 recycling businesses in the Commonwealth that employ more than 81,000 people, generate $18 billion in sales, pay $2.9 billion in payroll, and $305 million in taxes annually. Statistics from the report indicate local governments in Pennsylvania have an average recycling budget of $339,000.

The report says there is no single “cookie cutter” approach that can be used to every situation. But there are practical steps that can be taken to improve sustainability in the short and long term reviewed in the report.

DEP developed the report with the help of R.W. Beck, Inc., a national solid waste consulting firm, and the Department's Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

A copy of “Building Financially Sustainable Recycling Programs” is available online.

6/24/2005