US Chamber Foundation launches program to boost recycling efforts

Beyond 34: Recycling and Recovery for A New Economy is designed to foster circular economy practices in businesses and communities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has launched a new project it is calling Beyond 34: Recycling and Recovery for a New Economy, which has been designed to focus on breaking through the current 34 percent recycling barrier in the United States.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, the project will provide a scalable model for improving recycling and recovery rates to help communities, cities and businesses achieve their circular economy and sustainability goals.

Initially funded by the Wal-Mart Foundation, Target, Republic Services and Walgreens in collaboration with Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), Ann Arbor, Michigan, and with participation from state and local chambers, city officials and other civic stakeholders, the project aims to demonstrate how to optimize recycling and recovery of high value materials generated from commercial, industrial and residential sources.

“The circular economy is a huge opportunity for the business community and for the American economy,” says Marc DeCourcey, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “Beyond 34 will help accelerate recycling and recovery solutions that enhance business performance, competitiveness and innovation while stimulating sustainable economic growth and development at the local level.”

The project will be conducted in a phased approach beginning in January 2017. A U.S. city-region that demonstrates a high degree of readiness for recycling and reuse system development will be identified, along with the specific products and materials that will be included in the pilot. The U.S. Chamber Foundation is encouraging stakeholders to share data and information as part of this process.

“Our hope is that this project can provide a blueprint for companies and communities to successfully recycle and reuse materials that will drive positive economic, environmental, and social outcomes,” says Jennifer Gerholdt, senior director of the environment program for the U.S. Chamber’s Corporate Citizenship Center. “Together, we can achieve a circular economy by putting more recovered valuable material back into global supply chains.”

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