Descriptor of Indicator
This indicator examines residential recycling in tons, including residential single stream, plastics, metals, glass, and organics.
Why is it important?
The Municipal Waste Planning Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101) was enacted in 1998 to establish better statewide recycling programs. It encourages counties to develop, implement and maintain their own recycling and waste management programs. The Act has not only helped to reduce waste and pollution, but it has also created businesses and jobs.
How is the region performing?
From 2021 to 2022, Lackawanna County has slightly increased its total output of residential recyclable materials by 4.2 percent. Residential single stream has increased by four percent, metals have increased by 21.3 percent, and organics have increased by 4.1 percent. Conversely, the county has seen an overall decrease of 61 percent from values recorded a decade before. Overall, Lackawanna County accounts for 1.16 percent of the Commonwealth’s total recycled materials in 2022.
Luzerne County also experienced increases in residential recycling from 2021 to 2022 by 3.9 percent. Although residential single stream has decreased by 14.2 percent, metals increased by 9.1 percent, glass increased by over 100 percent, and organics increased by 15.7 percent. Conversely, similar to Lackawanna County, Luzerne County has seen an overall decrease of 23 percent from values recorded a decade prior. Overall, Luzerne County accounts for 2.93 percent of the Commonwealth’s total recycled materials.
Wayne County has experienced a decrease in residential recycling by 7.3 percent from 2021 to 2022. Residential single stream has decreased by six percent, plastics have decreased by 7.3 percent, metals have decreased by 19.5 percent, and glass has decreased by 14.7 percent. Conversely, Wayne County has seen an increase of over 100 percent from values recorded a decade prior. Overall, Wayne County accounts for 0.10 percent of the Commonwealth’s total recycled materials.