The Logistics of Recycling

Another theme in microeconomics as well as what has proven to be a common and recurring theme in our Zero Waste And The Ethics of Stuff course is that of logistics. Previously, I had never put much thought to the costs behind logistics in terms of recycling as I had to the costs associated with the actual recycling processes and the respective recycling plant. As this concept of logistics appeared in all of our field trips thus far, as well as Samantha MacBride's Recycling Reconsidered in that the recurring question of "Is glass recycling truly worth it?" This enticed me to do a little further research in the role that logistics play in recycling.

An article I came across called "The Importance of Logistics to the Recycling Industry" by Rick LeBlanc defines logistics as "the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost effective flow and storage of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of meeting customer requirements." LeBlanc continues to acknowledge that the need compact the recyclable material is also a part of the difficulties concerning the logistics of recycling. In that the materials considered for recycling are typically of low-value, and high in bulk or mass, especially in the large quantities that are needed in order to make recycling cost-efficient. While compacting items such as paper and plastics may seem easy to compact, LeBlanc notes that often in single stream recycling approaches, the sorting and compacting of materials can prove to be difficult and if not done properly, can lead to devaluation of the material and contribute to cost deficiencies.

LeBlanc explains how these deficiencies can be acknowledged by advancements made in technology. For example, he shows how a recycling facility in Chandler, Arizona found it would be more cost efficient to compact the recyclable materials “further up in the supply chain.” The facility developed solar powered recycling bins that compacted the recyclables right in the public, curbside bin. The bin would also emit a wireless signal to the collection company, indicating that it was full and needed to be emptied. Not only does this save time, money, and resourcing compacting but also the cost of fuel used to retrieve the bin, unknowing of whether or not its contents are full.

LeBlanc continues to unpack the inefficiencies of recycling logistics concerning retrieving recyclables from pick up locations that generate “LTL” or less than truck load quantities. Recycling facilities have constantly been attempting to find an optimal layout and pick up plan concerning proximity of extraction points relative to how full the bins get.

Concluding, LeBlanc notes how the most important aspect of effective recycling logistics is the ability or inability to “Close the loop” and ensure that as many recyclables make it to proper recycling bins as possible, in order to allow these logistics to become more cost efficient. I hope that technology continues to advance in all facets of logistics, including the fuel efficiencies of facility trucks, the technology of solar powered bins and so on, to allow the loops that are not necessarily completed closed (all loops) to become more economically feasible and cost efficient.