Recycling and Composting

Recycling and composting are essential government-supported efforts that reduce landfill waste and promote a circular economy by turning materials and organic waste into reusable resources. Recycling diverts items like paper, plastics, and metals for reprocessing, while composting converts food scraps and yard waste into valuable soil amendments. Together, these processes address the challenge of managing the 268 million tons of waste generated annually in the United States. Learning about where your recycling goes after you put it on the curb helps citizens understand the role of these programs in waste management.

Federal Laws and Policies

Federal legislation plays a key role in expanding and improving recycling and composting infrastructure. The STEWARD Act, passed by the Senate in November 2024, provides competitive grants ranging from $500,000 to $15 million to increase recycling access in underserved communities and enhance national data collection on recycling programs. Additionally, H.R.4109, introduced in the House, directs the Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate and support composting and recycling programs across federal, state, and local levels. The USDA also supports composting through its Composting and Food Waste Reduction cooperative agreements, funding projects that advance food waste diversion and compost access for agriculture.

State and Local Programs

State mandates and local initiatives complement federal efforts. California’s Senate Bill 1383 requires a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal by 2025, spurring many communities to adopt curbside organics collection. Nationwide, composting is growing rapidly, with the compost-to-waste ratio projected to increase from about 10% today to 18% by 2030. These programs reduce landfill use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs in waste management sectors, demonstrating how government policies drive sustainable waste reduction solutions.