Recycling industry in NC grows to more than 15,000 employees!

From Scott Mouw, NC State Recycling Program Director

North Carolinians can do something simple every day to help get the state’s economy on track – recycle.

A recently completed study by the N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach (found online at http://www.p2pays.org/ref/53/52107.pdf) shows that recycling continues to be a driver of economic activity and job growth in North Carolina. Successive studies from 1994 – 2010 have shown consistent increases in recycling employment in the Tar Heel state. And the latest study documents that - despite the deepest recession in decades - recycling jobs in North Carolina grew by nearly five percent in the last two years.

With more than 15,000 people employed statewide and an annual payroll of at least $395 million, the recycling industry is a steady contributor to our state’s overall economic strength and competitiveness.

North Carolina’s “recycling economy” is diverse and dynamic. Our state is home to some of the largest recyclers of steel and plastics in the world, with Nucor’s headquarters in Charlotte and the new Clear Path recycling facility in Fayetteville – an $80 million plant that will recycle 160 million pounds of soda and water bottles each year.

Continue reading Scott's article here... http://www.governor.state.nc.us/eTownhall/Blog/post/2011/01/11/Good...