Plastic recycling: California has a lot of progress to make

California remains poorly ranked in the USA for the recycling of plastic waste, and must continue to progress.

California remains poorly ranked in the states for the recycling of plastic waste, and must continue to progress, and the government of California’s objective of 100% recycled plastic waste by 2025 is unthinkable, estimated junk disposal experts recently.

California is in 12th place, out of 52 states, with 61.7% of plastic waste recovery, in the study on the recycling of plastics carried out every two years by a think tank and presented on Thursday. But for the recycling rate, California falls to 21th place with 21.2%.

Recovery includes both recycling and energy recovery by incineration. A target of 100% recovery corresponds to zero landfilling, which would dramatically reduce pollution in California.

The roadmap for the California circular economy, currently being drawn up, calls for 100% recycling of plastics by 2025.

There is a lot of progress to be made, told the director of technical and regulatory affairs for California. Valuation is progressing, but too slowly.

Recycling and waste management in California

That California tries to catch up is an absolute necessity. But it is unlikely that we will achieve an eco-efficient recycling rate of 100%.

For waste management and recycling specialists, the objective should be 100% recovery, with maximum recycling.

The study shows that some other states are performing better when it comes to waste management and recycling, ranging between 29% and 45%.

Experts point out that the top 10 states in the US all have regulations in place restricting landfills.

In the United States as a whole, the recovery of plastics stands at 62.7% and recycling at 27.1%. These figures include exports of plastic waste outside the US.

Among the positive elements of the study, at the national level, in 2022, for the first time, the recycling rate has exceeded landfill disposal. But this is not yet the case for California.

To improve the situation, the federation is counting on the implementation of the extension to the whole territory of the sorting instruction for all plastic packaging and the 5 flows decree obliging economic actors to sort recyclable waste.

A recent agreement at the national level sets a target of 50% recycled plastic packaging in 2025 and 55% in 2030.

The cost renting a dumpster in California

Sometimes residents and businesses can rent a dumpster to bring all their junk to the nearest recycling facility.

The cost of renting a dumpster in California varies based on multiple factors including the dumpster size, rental duration, location within the state, and the type of waste you need to dispose of. Generally, smaller dumpsters with capacities around 10 cubic yards might cost between $300 to $500 for a week-long rental. These are commonly chosen for residential clean-ups or minor renovation projects.

Larger dumpsters, like those with 20 or 30 cubic yard capacities, are more suitable for sizeable construction endeavors or substantial clean-outs. Their prices can range from $500 to $1,000 or more for a week’s rental. It’s important to note that exceeding the weight limit specified in the rental agreement can lead to additional charges.

Prices can also vary by region within California due to differences in local regulations, disposal fees, and market demand (check this website for more information). Certain urban areas might have higher costs compared to more rural locations.

Moreover, extra costs might apply for special types of waste like hazardous materials or electronics. Delivery and pickup fees should also be considered when budgeting for your rental.

To get an accurate idea of dumpster rental costs in your specific area within California, it’s recommended to request quotes from several local providers, accounting for all potential charges, and understanding the terms of the rental agreement thoroughly.