A presentation about the current sate of recycling as given by Action Environmental CEO Ron Bergamini at the 2016 Green Festivals New York April 15, 2016

1. THE STATE OF
RECYCLING
Ron Bergamini
CEO, Action Environmental
@ronaldbergamini |@ActionCarting

2. @ActionCarting
TRUE OR FALSE?
Recycling is a thriving business and the more we
recycle, the more $$ we can make and the more
we can ‘Save the Planet’

3. ANSWER
The Recycling Industry is hurting right now!
But there’s a lot that we can all can do to
ensure recycling can be efficient, profitable
and environmentally sustainable.
@ActionCarting

4. Purpose of Today
1. Review state of the recycling industry
2. Talk openly about recycling industry dynamics
3. Outline ways that everyone can help to ensure that recycling
can be efficient, profitable, viable
4. Answer your recycling questions
@ActionCarting

5. Action’s Commitment to Recycling
 Founded 1999
 Mission: To be the largest, and most environmentally
responsible waste management and recycling company in NYC
 We offer a variety of recycling services
 Composting
Recycling In NYC Can Be Challenging
 Tight streets, heavy traffic
 Heavily populated and diverse
@ActionCarting

6. @ActionCarting
Serving NYC’s Biggest (and Smallest) Businesses

7. Award-Winning Bronx Recycling Facility (MRF)
@ActionCarting

8. Award-Winning Bronx Recycling Facility (MRF)
@ActionCarting
https://youtu.be/O_dHUd0ylI8

9. 545,000
tons of Waste
99,000
tons of Recycling
44,500
tons Extracted From Waste
@ActionCarting
Diverted 143,500 Tons Of Recyclables From Landfills

10. The State of Recycling
Today

11. Low Oil Prices Low Commodities Worldwide
@ActionCarting

12. China’s Demand Is Softening
@ActionCarting

13. Is Glass Worth Recycling?
 Price of recycled glass (cullet) continues to rise, compared
to virgin glass
 Glass shards contaminate other recyclables
@ActionCarting

14. Let’s Talk Openly
About Recycling

15. Who Doesn’t Like Recycling?
 Saves materials from going to landfills
But…
 Recycling is still a manufacturing process
 The more you recycle, the more trucks on the road
 More gas = more pollutants
@ActionCarting

16. Recycling Is A Business
 If there isn’t anyone to buy what we all collect and sort,
then it’s not marketable.
 Compare energy for recycled bottle vs. virgin (new)
 Compare costs to burn (WTE) vs. recycling
@ActionCarting

17. The Market Is Ever Changing
 The market for recyclables is ever changing: market
conditions, new technologies, new materials or types of
packaging
 Oil, China, Glass
 Many lightweight materials are difficult, if not impossible,
to recycle, e.g., Capri Sun pouches
 ‘Complex’ products are difficult to separate into single
materials for recycling, e.g., iPhones
@ActionCarting

18. All Sectors in the Recycling Process Can Play
a Role in Helping to Ensure that Markets for
Recycled Materials Are as Economic and
Sustainable as Possible
Here’s How….
@ActionCarting

19. Sectors And Their Roles in Recycling
@ActionCarting
SORT
MAKEBUY

20. Sectors & Their Roles in the Recycling Process
@ActionCarting
Facilitators like us can:
• Invest in sorting equipment
• Find markets for recyclables
Producers:
• Make products out of recyclable materials
• Design products to be easy to disassemble
Consumers can:
• Sort recyclables as cleanly as possible
• Buy products that are made of recyclable materials
and that are made from of recycled content.

21. @ActionCarting

22. Spread The Word About the Facts
1. Recycling is not necessarily ‘environmentally friendly’.
Recycling is far better for the environment than landfills or incineration,
but like any other manufacturing process it has its own impacts.
So, it’s far better to reduce, and reuse, and then recycle.
2. We can keep recyclables out of landfills!
Everyone can help: put recyclables in the bin,
and our equipment to help sort it for recycling.
3. Recycling is not ‘free’.
If it’s not economic, in our society and economy,
it’s not going to happen. Everyone needs to help in
order to create a thriving market.
@ActionCarting

23. Ron Bergamini
CEO, Action Environmental
info@actioncarting.com
@ronaldbergamini |@ActionCarting