They survey was conducted to measure the 2001 levels of employment, capital investment and materials handling to assess trends, emerging markets and opportunities in the recycling industry for King County and Washington State.
Since 1995, there has been heavy investment in recycling organic debris and waste from construction and demolition. Nearly half of the organics recycled in Washington State are done so in King County. However, companies investing in recycling building materials are mainly in Pierce County because established concrete recycling firms were already located in King County.
Survey data was collected with the help of the Washington State Recycling Association and the Washington State Reuse and Recycling Association. The associations assisted with the survey’s design, testing and distribution. Of the companies targeted by the survey, 84 percent responded.
They survey’s key findings include:
· Washington State’s recycling industry is a significant component of the state’s economy, employing at least 3,620 people and having invested more than $850 million in capital assets.
· Washington’s private recycling industry is responding to increased opportunities to recycled organic material and C&D wastes.
· There is opportunity to establish local plastics and tire/rubber re-manufacturers, as these materials continue to be collected and current re-manufacturers of these materials within the state have scaled back their use of feedstock or gone out of business.
· Capital investment in recycling has increased, but employment levels have remained constant or decreased slightly because of increased in automated collection, processing and manufacturing equipment. The export of recyclables also may reduce the need for local labor.
For more information on the survey, visit www.dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/PUBLICAT/staterecycling_survey01.htm or contact Mark Buscher at (206) 296-4360 or mark.busher@metrokc.gov.