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Where Does It All Go?
Thanks, Massachusetts, for not throwing it all away!
You're recycling more than ever! There are more than 334 recycling programs across the state that collect a wide range of materials. Massachusetts residents recycle over 500,000 tons each year! This is made possible with the help of more than 1,400 Massachusetts businesses that collect, process or use these materials to manufacture new products. Some material is ultimately shipped out-of-state or overseas to be recycled. You may be surprised to know that the cardboard you recycled last month will soon return to Massachusetts as packaging for a new TV or computer.
Recycle. A little effort, a Big difference.
Where does it all go? Some examples include:
| Material |
Sent to |
Recycled into... |
| Office paper |
Salem, Westborough, and Charlestown |
Office paper and various paper products |
| Newspapers, magazines, junk mail and mixed paper |
Erving, Haverhill, and Fitchburg |
Cereal and cracker boxes, book covers and game boards |
| Boxboard and corrugated cardboard |
Worcester, Westborough |
Cardboard |
| Aluminum cans |
Westport, Westborough |
Cans, rain gutters, and window frames |
| Steel cans |
Everett |
Steel cans, bicycles, paper clips, steel beams, and other steel products |
| Plastic soda bottles |
Lawrence, Westborough |
Polyester fleece and carpet |
| Milk jugs, detergent bottles and other plastics |
Leominster |
Plastic lumber and decking |
| Margarine & yogurt tubs and lids |
Ontario, Canada |
Floor tiles, garbage cans, and pallets |
| Glass |
Franklin, Milford |
Glass bottles and jars |
| Electronics |
Gardner, Stoughton, Brockton, and Fall River |
Refurbished electronics, plastics, and metals |
To learn how to recycle in your community visit: www.earth911.org
What are examples of Massachusetts recycling businesses?
Massachusetts has a long and proud history of businesses and non-profit organizations that recycle raw materials that would otherwise be disposed. Some examples include:
Reuse:
The Building Materials Resource Center of Roxbury collects and sells used building materials such as kitchen cabinets, windows, and appliances. Everyone benefits, as contractors save on disposal costs, building owners get a tax deduction, and low-income customers purchase products at discount prices.
Remanufacturing:
Encore Images of Marblehead collects and remanufactures computer printer toner cartridges from commercial businesses.
Collection:
E.L. Harvey & Sons of Westborough provides collection services for municipalities and businesses that generate recyclable paper and cardboard, bottles and cans, and construction and demolition debris. E.L. Harvey sorts materials and sells them to manufacturers who use the raw materials to make recycled content products.
Processing:
ProPel PlasTech of Deerfield recycles scrap plastics by regrinding and selling them to manufacturers that use the plastics in their products.
Manufacturing:
The Newark Group collects, processes and manufactures recycled paper products. Newark's mills in Fitchburg and Haverhill use recycled newspaper, magazines and office paper collected from cities and towns to make a number of products, including 100% recycled-content paperboard for packaging cereal and many other consumer products.
Note: This list is a sampling of Massachusetts recycling businesses. It does not constitute an endorsement of any listed company.
Interested in other Massachusetts Recycling Businesses?
Massachusetts Recycling Collection and Processing Companies:
http://www.wastecap.org and http://www.earth911business.org/
Massachusetts Recycled Products Manufacturers:
http://www.chelseacenter.org/MassManufactures0.htm
New England Reuse:
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/reuse/index.html
Where do I find additional resources?
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Jobs Through Recycling Program:
http://www.epa.gov/jtr/econ/index.htm
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priorities & results
reduce, reuse, recycle
