Recycling has many clear benefits. These benefits include reuse of material, decreased landfill volumes, reduced impact on natural resources, and much more. Recycling can be relatively easy in urban environments that likely have recycling centers incorporated into everyday infrastructure, however, rural communities oftentimes may not have the same level of recycling infrastructure. In this case, recycling for some may seem not only uneconomical, but also counterproductive. Transport of recycled goods in some cases may require more energy than that saved through recycling. How can these problems be resolved for rural communities?
The key to increased recycling, in most all cases, is to make recycling easier and even cheaper than the alternative. This is often accomplished by locating recycling infrastructure alongside the normal waste infrastructure. In this case, there is no more energy needed to recycle. However, in rural communities, there may not even be a waste service at all! In communities that may not have a recycling service, perhaps community organizations could fund one. Many waste management companies will provide, with a fee, a large recycling receptacle. If conveniently placed next to a location that is often visited, such as the local post office, the ease of recycling has just increased. For residents who incinerate their waste, this would reduce their weekly burden, making recycling easier than the alternative. Local businesses may also see this as both a philanthropy opportunity and a way to draw more customers to their location.
There could be many benefits to installing a local recycling center that make the project economical and productive. Consider what options are possible in your rural community!
U.I.I has been working to develop many different solutions to problems in rural communities. Contact us if your community could use help in this area!