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Question: Why Should I Recycle?Answer: Recycling provides economic benefits! Our waste reduction and recycling efforts can make a difference - even within our state's economy.By converting waste into valuable products, recycling creates jobs, contributes feedstock to manufacturing, and adds significant value to the entire U.S. economy. The numbers below help reveal the largely hidden side of this highly visible environmental endeavor that has quietly captured the attention of entrepreneurs, financiers and economic developers throughout Massachusetts. Recycling Means Business in Massachusetts
Collection and processing, the first step in the recycling process, involves sorting and aggregating recyclable materials. It includes municipal and private collectors, material recovery and composting facilities, and recyclable material wholesalers. These activities employ nearly 4,642 people in Massachusetts, with a payroll of $142 million and annual sales of $923 million. Recycling manufacturing involves the actual conversion of recyclables into products. The primary recycling manufacturers in Massachusetts in order of magnitude are steel mills, plastic converters, paper and paperboard mills, and nonferrous metal manufacturers. Recycling manufacturing employs over 10,120 people with a payroll of almost $330 million and annual sales of over $2.1 billion. Reuse and remanufacturing focuses on the refurbishing and repair of products to be reused in their original form. The largest activities are retail sales of used merchandise and reuse of motor vehicle parts. The value that can be added via this process is limited because of competition from new products. Nevertheless, reuse and manufacturing contributes to 3,443 jobs, a payroll of $67 million and sales of over a $342 million. Downstream Economic Benefits In addition to the direct benefits, support businesses that provide goods and services to the recycling and reuse establishments also contribute to the Commonwealth's economy. These supporting activities include recycling and reuse equipment manufacturers, consulting/ engineering services, brokers, and transporters. These contribute an additional 3,397 jobs and $535 million in receipts. Recycling Contributes to State Revenues Massachusetts tax revenues from recycling and reuse businesses are estimated at $64 million per year. Additional Links to the Economic Benefits of Recycling:
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