A statewide recycling survey in Texas that was launched in mid-August will close on October 31. The Study on the Economic Impacts of Recycling (Study) seeks to quantify the amount of recycling occurring throughout Texas and will assess the economic state of the recycling industry in Texas. Through a competitive bidding process, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) retained Burns & McDonnell to complete the study.
The study is the result of a bill by Rep. Ed Thompson (R-Pearland) and Sen. José Rodríguez (D-El Paso) passed in the 84th Texas Legislative Session (House Bill 2763). It will build on the efforts of prior recycling studies but will also include more robust economic information, such as current market conditions and associated job creation.
A collaborative and voluntary process, the survey focuses on data from processors and end users of recyclables. The Study seeks to not only assess current recycling efforts, but it also will identify methods to increase recycling, as well as funding methods to increase recycling and associated job creation and infrastructure needs that will result from a more robust materials recovery industry in Texas. The Study is being led by Burns & McDonnell, under contract to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
In order for the Study to be successful, participation is crucial. Industry representatives and recyclers in Texas are encouraged to contribute to this effort and to help spread the word through their various professional networks. The survey will close to participants on October 31st. The results of the survey will be included in the TCEQ report, “Municipal Solid Waste in Texas: A Year in Review, 2016 Data Summary and Analysis.”
To read the full story, visit http://www.newschannel10.com/story/33129392/municipal-solid-waste-study-will-quantify-recycled-material-and-its-economic-impacts-in-texas.