NERC in the News
Recycling Economic Impacts Updated
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The PROPonent, A Publication of the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania, Spring 2009
By Jill Reigh
"Our nation's economic and environmental health are inseparably linked, and when one struggles, so does the other. The right path forward leads to policies that allow both to flurish." Donna Harman, President & CEO, American Forest & Paper Association.
The Northeast Recycling Council's (NERC) recently released update of the Recycling Economic Impact study reinforces the benefits. In Pennsylvania, the study found that recycling directly supports over 52,000 jobs and another 49,000 jobs related to recycling.
In the midst of this good news, ripple effects from our country's economic downturn have caused a $22 million shortage from the state Recycling Fund, threatening both jobs and the future of recycling.
The $15 million withdrawal of funds from the Recycling Fund to the General Fund last year has also seriously complicated the Fund's cash flow projections.
The PROP Board of Directors believes that if all PROP members communicate their challenges and successes to their state legislators, then policies will be made to ensure the future of recycling in Pennsylvania. (For more facts on recycling and the urgent need to pass reauthorization, see Special Insert, "Eleventh Hour.")
At a recent PROP Certification class, "Business Planning for the Solid Waste Professional," the group concensus was that recyclable markets and, therefore, program stability, was improving. None of the nearly 25 class participants, nor the three-person panel, knew of any program planning to close.
(The entire NERC report can be viewed at: NERC's website.)
