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Recycling During a Pandemic: One Year Later
It is obvious that our lives have been changed immeasurably, and business across the board has shifted to meet the demands of the “new normal.” One silver lining of the pandemic is that it has heightened concern for the environment in most people.Byline: BTB Editor
March 17, 2021 / Time to read: 5 minAs we reflect on a full year of COVID-19, it is obvious that our lives have been changed immeasurably, and
In addition to some of the more obvious changes, our waste and
A recent survey from
- According to the OnePoll survey, 65% of respondents also said the pandemic has acted as a wake-up call for them to make sustainable choices. And, 41% of people say they are working to waste less and conserve more resources, while 30% have committed to being more careful when it comes to sorting recyclables.
- In 2020,
Republic Services processed 6 million tons of recyclables. - As a result of the online retail boom (across the country, the USPS reported that package volume increased by 19% in 2020), Republic has experienced a 63% increase in residential
cardboard recycling in some areas of the country. - With many activities, including restaurants and bars, closed or with limited hours, more and more Americans are drinking beverages – of all types – at home:
- Beyond recycling,
organic waste – old food leftovers,yard waste, and debris – increased by 20%, helpingRepublic create more than 500,000 tons of nutrient-rich compost.
One silver lining of the pandemic is that it has heightened concern for the environment in most people. With more and more Americans making a commitment to proper recycling, we recommend visiting
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