Previous Study Showed 18.9% Recycling Rate in Texas : Burns & McDonnell to Survey Recycling Rate & Industry Economics in Texas
Consulting firm Burns & McDonnell is to conduct a survey into the recycling in Texas and assess the economic state of the industry in the state.
The study will commence on August 15th this year and follows a competitive bidding process by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
According to Burns & McDonnell the research is the result of a bill by Representative Ed Thompson and Senator José Rodríguez passed in the 84th Texas Legislative Session (House Bill 2763).
It is intended to build on the efforts of prior recycling studies, but is also planned to include more robust economic information, such as current market conditions and associated job creation.
In 2015 Burns & McDonnell worked in partnership with a nonprofit organisation, the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR), to complete and release the Texas Recycling Data Initiative (TRDI).
In that initiative TRDI provided a benchmark recycling rate of 18.9% for recycling activity in Texas and established the methodology that the Study on the Economic Impacts of Recycling will build off.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Houston-Galveston Area Council have completed other similar, regional economic studies that have provided limited financial and jobs information.
“As with TRDI, industry participation is paramount for this Study to successfully provide updated information on recycling quantities, as well as important economic impact and market drivers,” commented Scott Pasternak, Burns & McDonnell senior project manager who led the TRDI effort and is managing the Study on the Economic Impacts of Recycling.
Voluntary
According to Burns & McDonnell the process will be collaborative and voluntary, and will focus on data from processors and end users of recyclables.
As the study will request recycling and economic data from private recycling companies, the consultants said that they will take every reasonable measure allowed by law to protect business-sensitive information and will have a confidentiality plan available for survey participants.
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.
“This study will provide to policy makers the information they need to make educated decisions on recycling and materials management in Texas,” said STAR executive director Sara Nichols.
The results will be included in the TCEQ report, “Municipal Solid Waste in Texas: A Year in Review, 2016 Data Summary and Analysis.”
In order for the study to be successful, participation is crucial. As such, Burns & McDonnell said that they will encourage industry representatives and recyclers in Texas to contribute to this effort and to help spread the word through their various professional networks.
For more information click HERE
Read More
UT Dallas On-Campus Composting Program Secures STAR Award
The UT Dallas Facilities Management has won the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling’s Rick Fuszek Award for Outstanding Sustainable Materials Management for an on-site composting program.
Closed Loop Rare Earth Magnet Recycling Firms Secures Funds in Austin
Urban Mining Company has completed a $25M Series A financing for the construction and operation of a magnet recycling and manufacturing facility at its headquarters.
