Measuring Recycling Just Got Easier
![Skip to main content of this page](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510063228im_/http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/images/!clear.gif)
"Whether youre already measuring recycling or just starting out, youll be thankful theres a resource out there to help you," said Kip Eagles, Recycling Survey Coordinator for the Washington State Department of Ecology.
EPA explains the standard methodology in detail in its guidance document, Measuring Recycling: A Guide for State and Local Governments (document number EPA530-R-97-011). In addition to information on both the core and flexible elements of the methodology, the document provides real life examples, hints and tips, a glossary of more than 100 standard terms, standard volume-to-weight conversion factors, and other useful tools.
For states and localities already measuring recycling, the guidance document provides an abbreviated form of the methodology known as the translator, to use in recalculating their recycling rate according to the EPA method. "Weve been pleased with every aspect of the (translator) methodologyit has worked very well for us," commented Carl Hursh, Chief of Recycling and Markets for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.