Output of US recycling sector up 6.4%

The US recycling industry generates US$ 116 billion (almost EUR 100 billion) in economic output for the national economy, according to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) during its annual convention and exposition.

‘As the industry gathers virtually for our ISRI 2021 annual convention this year, we are proud to celebrate how recycling plays an essential role in not only our environment, but also in the US and global economies,’ comments ISRI president Robin Wiener. ‘As the world recovers from a global pandemic, the resilience of the recycling industry once again shines through with a total economic output that is up 6.4% compared with pre-pandemic levels.’

A new Economic Impact Study conducted by John Dunham and Associates says that the US recycling sector is ‘directly responsible’ for more than 159 000 jobs. The total is 2.8% down on the 2019 figure and the study found that 170 facilities closed in 2020. In addition, 346 000 jobs are indirectly supported by the industry through suppliers and services.

The recycling sector’s direct contribution to the economy is US$ 46.4 billion. When suppliers, contractors and services generated are included, the total rises to US$ 116 billion.