Which state recycles the most

West Virginia closes out the round with 2 percent recycling rate. However, the report was not intended to single out states, but rather to showcase our recycling system in an objective light.

The recycling system was created in the s and slightly revised in the s. In the context of the volume of consumerism we see today, the discrepancies and deficiencies are no surprise. Today, only 25 percent of U. Garbage at Home: Working from home turns your waste stream into a river, but having recycling centers nearby helps fight the flood. Vermont, for example, leads in recycling centers per , residents.

What can we do to solve the waste problem? What states or countries are doing better at this, and what can we learn from them? We asked experts these questions:. What is your biggest concern about how much waste the U. What are a few simple things we can do to cut down on the amount of waste we generate in the U. Very simply, buy less. Look at your trash and think about what you are disposing of that you did not use. Waste is often transported long distances for disposal or treatment.

Locally managing waste will reduce environmental impacts. Which countries are doing the best job at managing waste, and what can the U. Every country has its own circumstances economics, land availability, recycling infrastructure , so each country and region in large countries such as the U.

My biggest concern is the people education about the solid waste generation and source separation and segregation. Educating people about the implications of waste generation can help reduce the waste generation. I have done a comparative study of solid waste generation and handling. Take responsibility for your own waste. Look in your garbage can and let that guide your efforts. The heaviest portion for most people is probably food waste like coffee grounds and banana peels.

Factors such as "highest air quality," "most LEED-certified building per capita," and "highest percentage of energy consumption from renewable sources" were taken into account. Did your state make the top 10?

If not, hover over the map below to see where your state ranks. Vermont is officially the greenest state in , but when analysts broke it down by category, other states took the tops spots. For instance, New York ranked No. Overall, Wyoming was the least eco-friendly state and ranked among the lowest in categories for "lowest soil quality," "highest energy consumption per capita," and "highest gasoline consumption in gallons per capita.

If you take an even closer look at the study's results, do you notice a pattern? It turns out that a state's political affiliation is closely linked to how eco-friendly they are. Though there are many exceptions, this study reveals that overall, blue states are more likely to take the environment into account when it comes to enforcing stricter laws regarding renewables, resource conservation, and pollution.

Author Custom Earth Promos. Correctly understanding environmental impacts and methods for recycling products vs. The Business Takeaway: Based on the product, reuse or donation should be considered before traditional recycling or disposal. Consumers are shifting to eco-friendly and virtue-based brands — evident by the likes of sustainably sourced goods, plant based foods, and repurposed products. Additionally, employees want to work with companies that are environmentally conscious, and companies are responding5.

Today, nearly 3, Certified B Corporations exist in the world6, double the volume from three years ago. The Business Takeaway: The trade-off between sustainability and profitability no longer exists, sustainable business practices are emerging as market leaders adopt criteria, such as ESG.

The recycling industry is a crucial part of our lives — to make sure we take better care of our planet. Each year, millions of tons of recyclable materials are collected and moved across the world, with nearly 2, recycling facilities 7 and tens of thousands of individuals working together to help make sure waste is properly recycled. Recycling primarily sees strong demand from industrial markets, construction activity, and steady demand from the residential household.

Over the last five years, each of the three primary drivers has seen significant growth as the US economy and populations steadily grew. Additionally, evolving government legislation and public awareness have pushed for greater demand of recycling services and other forms of waste stream diversion — with overall waste recycling percentages hitting record highs in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, academic research, and news outlets have helped extend the reach of sustainability, and the message that we as humans need to change our ways.

Elected officials are seeing the impact too, as online petitions and social media channels become an integral part of expression for many constituents. As citizens become more cognizant of their impact on the planet, more people are encouraging their city and state legislators to enact stricter standards for reuse, recycling, and diversion — and legislators are listening. While they did not hit it, they have announced new approaches and initiatives to address the statewide recycling rate are underway.

Cities are jumping on board as growing waste volumes continue to hamper city resources. San Francisco, Boston, Washington DC, and many other US cities are adding additional requirements on top of state laws for businesses and residents within the city limits. New York City is pushing the boundaries even further, also focusing on diverting hundreds of thousands of tons of organics.

As regulations continue to grow in number and strength, expect recycling players to respond in kind with additional innovative and expanded offerings.

Today, drastic new technologies are emerging to help individuals, companies, and recyclers to better handle sustainability. Agilyx: Agilyx technology produces a premium refinery grade crude oil feedstock that is sold into commerce and provides the flexibility to be used in multiple products TerraCycle: They take hard-to-recycle materials, such as ocean plastic, and turn them into new products.

Their new Loop platform aims to change the way the world shops with favorite brands in refillable packaging offered with convenience and style. Many people assume that efforts to recycle an item are equal for all products, but detailed research in the field shows that certain products are significantly better suited for diversion and reuse. Diversion is a key opportunity to alleviate potentially costly and resource heavy recycling efforts. When looking at the potential impact of a variety of products, we begin to see that all products are not created equal in the eyes of the environment.

For instance, reusing one car, instead of taking it to the landfill, will save nearly 9, pounds of greenhouse gasses that would have been produced in the making of another car Similarly, appliances and consumer electronics have significant benefits when it comes to being recycled or diverted.