Recycling Infrastructure and its Benefits: A Literature Review of Economic and Community Impact

Lincoln currently relies on a recycling system with private haulers and limited recyclables collection sites. To increase recycling rates and waste diversion, this review focused on the economic benefits of implementing city-wide recycling, the costs of implementing that recycling program, and the economic effects of making no change to the recycling program. Subjects of job creation, landfill costs, and virgin materials are discussed, along with the analysis of the economic, environmental, and social costs of each recycling program scenario. By the end of this project, I have identified the best recycling program option for the City of Lincoln to implement from an economic value standpoint. Methods included a comprehensive literature review on different recycling programs, landfill costs, tipping fees, recycling rates, operational costs, and economic impacts. The City of Lincoln Waste Diversion team directly participated in this project, helping me understand Lincoln’s waste programs, landfill space, and economic status. This project will help the community stakeholders in the City of Lincoln become knowledgeable about the different recycling opportunities it could have and how feasible they are.