SWANA to Discuss Recycling Incentives

Members of the Recycling Incentive Alliance (RIA), will meet in conjunction with the Solid Waste Association of North American (SWANA) WasteCon event in St. Louis on Oct. 13.

The RIA describes itself as a “group of organizations and businesses that are determined to put financial incentives in place that will dramatically increase the amount of recyclable materials currently being incorporated into products on a national scale.”

In a news release announcing the Oct. 13 meeting, the RIA also says its goal will be to help “improve the economy through increased energy savings, increased jobs, and improvement to the environment.”

The RIA has also listed several criteria for designing recycling incentives, including focusing on the “greatest return on investment” when promoting end markets for recyclables, as well as maintaining on eye on methods that are “easy to administer and monitor.”

Several concepts already under consideration have also been listed by the group, including the use of tax credits or other financial incentives for certain manufacturers for every additional ton of material they incorporate into a product or for investments they make in recycling infrastructure.

On the supply side, the RIA says financial incentives should be provided to municipalities and/or businesses that would increase the quantity and/or quality of material they collect for recycling.

According to SWANA, U.S. EPA numbers indicate that 30 percent of the 232 million tons of solid waste generated in 2000 was recycled or composted. “Both EPA and SWANA believe there is adequate momentum and potential to significantly increase waste diversion and reduce our reliance on disposal as a primary management tool,” the RIA states.

The RIA meeting will take place Mon., Oct. 13, from 1 to 5 p.m. in Room 111 of the St. Louis Convention Center. Those seeking more information can contact SWANA program manager David Helmecki at (240) 494-2235 or dhelmecki@swana.org.