For a while there, recycling was bringing in some big money. But with the economy slowing down, the demand for scrap metal, cardoboard and plastic is falling much shorter than the supply, bringing down prices and profits.As recently as September, scrap metal was going for over $500 a gross ton -- now you're lucky to get $100 for the same amount. Same thing with cardboard, which was selling for as much as $135 a ton. It's down to $35! That's when recycling centers can find a buyer at all.
The lack of buyers, some recycling centers have halted collections, and are asking people to store recyclables at home, at least until the market picks up.
While it may take a year or so for that to happen, Trey Granger, from Earth911 is optimistic that the public's interest in recycling won't fade away, reminding people that the recycling industry is cyclical, but has been growing for 30 years.
Just like with investing, it's important keep a long view on recycling. It may be easier right now to throw away that can or bottle, but consider the long terms costs.
When you're shopping, think about how much waste you're going to generate with your purchases. The bigger jug of detergent might be heavy to carry from the car to the house, but it takes up a lot less space than three "smaller" bottles when it's time to recycle them...or to store them in the basement with your newspapers and cans until the recycling trucks make pick ups again!
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