This is the first significant increase since about 2000.
For glass beer and soft drink bottles, the rate was 34.5%, a big boost from 30.7% in 2006, and 15% for wine and liquor bottles (same as 2006). The amount of glass generated remains at 5.3%.
For the six-month period ending June 2008, the California Department of Conservation reports that the glass bottle recycling rate rose to 79%, up from 71% for the same period in 2007. The overall beverage container recycling rate in California reached 76% (7.5 billion containers).
To download the complete report, “U.S. EPA Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2007,” go to www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/municipal/msw99.htm. For California recycling rates, go to www.con servation.ca.gov/dor/Notices/Documents/Biannual.pdf.
