Preliminary results of a research project conducted by Virginia Tech on the disposal of wood pallets at landfill sites reveal that 95% of wooden pallets are being recycled. The landfill avoidance study was independently conducted at Virginia Tech over two years. Both municipal and solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition (C&D) landfill facilities were surveyed to better understand how pallets were being handled at these facilities. According to the study, the number of pallets entering the landfill reduced by 86%, for both MSW and C&D facilities. Environmental awareness, limited space and a desire to be more waste efficient have driven many of these facilities to sort and recover certain types of waste. The overall presence of wood pallets at landfill facilities also significantly decreased. Click Read More below for additional information.

Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment, and the majority of UK consumers believe the recycling rate of paper isn’t very high. This low consumer awareness is worrying when paper is, in fact, one of the most recycled materials in the world with a recycling rate of 74%.[1] A study, conducted by the not-for-profit organisation Two Sides and independent research company Toluna, aims to understand changing consumer perceptions towards print and paper. This unique insight into consumer attitudes towards one of the world’s oldest and universally used materials, will be repeated biennially to monitor and report upon evolving consumer perceptions, as environmental awareness intensifies and alternative digital channels of communication become prevalent. Paper is one of the world’s most recycled materials. In Europe 74% of paper, 56 million tonnes, was collected and recycled in 2020.[2] Paper Packaging has an even higher recycling rate of 85%.[3]

November is a great month to renew your commitment to reduce, reuse, recycle, and buy recycled! Did you know the national recycling rate has increased over the past 30 years to its current rate of 34%? The paper recycling rate is even higher! In 2017, 65.8 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling. This is double the annual paper recovery rate since 1990. To read more about this incredible paper recycling success story, visit PaperRecycles.org. In an effort to increase recycling across the country, Keep America Beautiful started the initiative, America Recycles Day, to encourage organized events that reduce total waste produced and maximize landfill diversion. It is the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. In celebration and recognition of the day, we encourage everyone to take the #berecycled pledge. Click read more below for additional detail.