Report examines potential economic benefit of recycling in Alberta

Report examines potential economic benefit of recycling in Alberta
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Alberta, Canada’s recycling sector generated $700 million in economic value and supported more than 7,500 direct jobs in 2018, according to a new report. The report also found the potential economic benefit of recycling in the region could be $1.4 billion and 13,000 jobs if action was taken to increase Alberta’s recycling programs.

The report, commissioned by the Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) and funded by Alberta Economic Development and Trade, Alberta Recycling Management Authority, Beverage Container Management Board and Cleanfarms, documents the type and scale of recycling in Alberta. Undertaken by Eunomia Research & Consulting, United Kingdom, it measures the economic and employment benefits the sector brings to the province, including job creation, wages, provincial tax benefit, capital investment and overall contribution to Alberta’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The study found that 75 percent of households in Alberta have access to curbside recycling services and 44 percent have access to organics diversion programs for recycling organics. The research estimates that 1.15 million tons of material were diverted for recycling in 2018, an average of 260 kilograms per household.

Despite the overall success of the sector, researchers found “significantly more could be done to increase the amount of recycling taking place.” Material being diverted for recycling could nearly double if action was taken to “increase and diversify Alberta’s recycling programs,” according to the analysis.

"This report confirms Alberta’s recycling industry already provides significant value to our economy, and validates the additional value that would be created if Alberta expanded and enhanced its recycling systems to simply meet what is already achieved in other provinces,” RCA President Jodi London says. “The bottom line is Alberta has an opportunity to capitalize on its waste generation and diversify its economy by moving swiftly to adopt progressive approaches that will see materials like packaging and paper effectively managed to become part of a circular economy."

Sarah Edwards, the lead author of the report, adds, "While it’s fantastic to see the economic benefits that the current recycling system provides to Alberta, it’s important to note that there are huge benefits to expanding current activities. Alberta leads the way in the diversity of services it offers and maximizing the potential of these will only increase the economic, employment and environmental benefits to the province."

The results will be presented at RCA’s conference Sea Change.

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Source: Recycling Today
Report examines potential economic benefit of recycling in Alberta
<![CDATA[Alberta, Canada’s recycling sector generated $700 million in economic value and supported more than 7,500 direct jobs in 2018, according to a new report. The report also found the potential economic benefit of recycling in the region could be $1.4 billion and 13,000 jobs if action was taken to increase Alberta’s recycling programs.The report, commissioned by the Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) and funded by Alberta Economic Development and Trade, Alberta Recycling Management Authority, Beverage Container Management Board and Cleanfarms, documents the type and scale of recycling in Alberta. Undertaken by Eunomia Research & Consulting, United Kingdom, it measures the economic and employment benefits the sector brings to the province, including job creation, wages, provincial tax benefit, capital investment and overall contribution to Alberta’s gross domestic product (GDP).The study found that 75 percent of households in Alberta have access to curbside recycling services and 44 percent have access to organics diversion programs for recycling organics. The research estimates that 1.15 million tons of material were diverted for recycling in 2018, an average of 260 kilograms per household.Despite the overall success of the sector, researchers found “significantly more could be done to increase the amount of recycling taking place.” Material being diverted…