Recycling is an essential part of EPA's overall plan for reducing the amount of waste we generate. Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources and generates a host of environmental, financial, and social benefits. Materials such as glass, metal, plastics, and paper are collected and sent to facilities that can process them into new materials or products. This process redirects millions of tons of waste away from land fills and incinerators and helps reduce deforestation and the production of greenhouse gas emissions. EPA also offers guidance documents and other support to individual communities wishing to undertake recycling programs.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• Municipal Solid Waste: Recycling
  Examines what recycling is, what is involved in recycling, and what you can do.
• Recycling Measurement
  EPA has developed a voluntary, standard methodology for measuring recycling rates.
• Recycling Market Development
  Recycling Market Development information for state and local officials, sources of technical and financial assistance for recycling businesses, and information on the economic benefits of recycling.

Conservation

Energy
Alternative Fuels, Clean Fuels, Energy Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Fuel Economy, Geothermal Energy, Hydropower, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Wind Power

Pollution Prevention Programs

Recycling
Batteries, Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs), Compost, Electronics, Glass, Paper, Plastics, Refrigerant Recycling, Tires, Used Oil

Sustainable Development

Transportation Alternatives
Biking, Ride Sharing, Transportation Control Measures

Voluntary Partnerships

Waste Reduction
Refrigerant Recovery, Source Reduction, Waste Exchanges, Waste Minimization