Recycling Could Create 1.5 Million Jobs [Study]
1.5 million jobs could be created if the US government increases the recycling rate from 33% to 75% by the year 2030.
According to the Tellus Institute because waste diversion is more labor intensive than waste disposal the recycling industry would create many more jobs than the waste management industry over a shorter period of time.
Among jobs that would be created including recycle collecting, processing and composting, along with jobs in the recycled products industry where the materials are turned into actual goods.
If a strong recycling plan is enacted the United States would more than double current job recycle rates which as of 2009 were predicted at approximately 800,000 jobs.
The study also points out that the increase from 33% to 75% would also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by the same that would be witnessed if 50 million cars were pulled off the road based on current emission levels.
According to USA Today Tellus Institute created the study with the support of the BlueGreen Alliance, SEIU (Service Employees International Union), the Natural Resources Defense Council, Teamsters, Recycling Works!, and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives.
This seems like a good plan to me. Would you be willing to recycle more if curbside pickup and other recycling initiatives were enacted by the United States government?
