Study Shows Recycling's Impact on Pennsylvania's Economy

Danielle Jackson

Harrisburg, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced results of the Alexandria, Va.-based National Recycling Coalition's (NRC) National Recycling Economic Information Study, which highlighted Pennsylvania's recycling program and its impact on the state's economy and employment.

According to the study, 3,247 recycling and re-use establishments in Pennsylvania employ 81,322 people, have an annual payroll of nearly $2.9 billion and have annual revenues of more than $18.4 billion. Over the past six years, the state has invested nearly $200 million to support recycling programs.

Pennsylvania was one of 12 states cited in the study. Nationwide, more than 56,000 recycling and re-use establishments employ 1.1 million people, have an annual payroll of $37 billion and have annual revenues of $236 billion. The study examined 26 recycling and re-use industry activities in four categories: recycling collection, recycling processing, recycling manufacturing, and re-use and remanufacturing

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For more information on the study, visit www.nrc-recycle.org.