Today, Thursday, November 15 is recognized as National Recycling Day. Established more than two decades ago, this national day of observance encourages Americans to purchase and use recycled products. One group that works hard each and every day to advance this important effort is South Carolina’s Recycling Market Development Advisory Council.
Last week, the council held its November meeting at Agru America’s Georgetown, S.C. facility, which produces premium geomembrane liners for use in environmental applications. A homegrown South Carolina company in business since 1988, Agru America is a great example of the state’s growing recycling industry, having announced a $39 million investment and the creation of 126 new jobs in 2012.
At the meeting, which is pictured to the right, the group discussed the importance of several ongoing initiatives, Don’t Waste Food S.C. and Your Bottle Means Jobs. In addition to promoting environmental protection and sustainability, both of these campaigns communicate the significant economic impact of recycling. If every household in the Carolinas recycled just two more bottles each week, it would have an estimated $10 million economic impact, potentially creating 300 new jobs in the plastics recycling industry.
Following last week’s meeting at Agru America, S.C. Commerce’s Recycling Market Development team was in Charleston, S.C. this week to discuss recycling trends and market activity at a meeting of the Southeast Recycling Development Council. As part of that event, the Carolinas Plastics Recycling Council convened on Monday to discuss growing demand for clean, post-consumer and post-industrial plastic scrap feedstocks for the automotive, packaging, textile and home furnishings industries. In a marketplace where demand exceeds supply, recycling firms continue to invest in equipment and processes to create value-added, recycled-content materials.
When addressing the group, S.C. Commerce’s Chantal Fryer, pictured to the left, emphasized the impact of South Carolina’s recycling industry, saying, “Our state remains a recycling powerhouse in the Southeast.”
Those looking to join in the recycling effort and participate in National Recycling Day can visit www.recyclinginsc.com for more information on what and where to recycle.