| There is an emerging trend in the recycling | | | | communication can produce positive program |
| industry regarding the adaptation of single-stream | | | | results; including the reduction of collection costs, |
| recycling programs. Single stream recycling | | | | decline in hauler injuries, convenient and |
| program have become increasingly more popular | | | | uncomplicated means for item diversion, increased |
| in many cities and municipalities as a straight | | | | participation rates and an incline in the materials |
| forward way to collect recyclables. It is becoming | | | | accepted for collection. |
| more viable and highly acclaimed as modern | | | | The single-stream recycling trend is prevalent in |
| recycling efforts evolve and come to shape the | | | | such communities as the City of Toronto, Austin |
| disposal, collection and reprocessing of materials. | | | | and Chicago. Following the incorporation of such a |
| This shift is geared toward the replacement of | | | | system these municipalities each experienced an |
| traditional multiple-stream programs so to | | | | influx in community recycling efforts. The Austin |
| maximize results within various environments. | | | | Chronicle discerned that, "In practice, single-stream |
| Single-stream refers to a recycling system in | | | | has been a huge success: Austinites have |
| which all reusable materials are deposited into one | | | | increased their recycling by forty-seven |
| uniform container. The recyclables are then | | | | percent"[1] However, it was also noted that there |
| collected by a waste hauler, equipped with trucks | | | | was a comparative increase in processing costs, a |
| featuring automated mechanisms for gathering | | | | reduction in commodity pricing due to |
| materials into one compartment. Post-collection | | | | contamination and an increased down-cycling of |
| the hauler transports the items to a material | | | | paper. Experts in the recycling field have urged |
| recovery factory for sorting and reuse | | | | that such negatives do not outweigh positives, as |
| preparation. The recyclables are then reprocessing | | | | all recycling programs have shortcomings; |
| by manufacturers into new commodities, such as, | | | | participants simply need to recognize them and |
| napkins, newspapers and office supplies. | | | | find means to work with them. The Austin |
| The goal of single-stream recycling is to maximize | | | | Chronicle concluded that the shift toward one |
| diversion rates with economic efficiency. This | | | | container recycling proved viable through profit |
| process fosters sustainability as it diverts | | | | and overall effectiveness. |
| materials away from landfills, reduces gas | | | | In conclusion, the single-stream recycling trend |
| emissions and conserves natural resources while | | | | continues to evolve and take shape in various |
| effectively closing the recycling loop. The recycling | | | | environments. Only time will determine its |
| loop distinguishes the usage, recycling, | | | | permanence and successfulness of reducing our |
| reprocessing and purchasing of products by | | | | carbon footprint. If present applications of the |
| consumers; establishing a continual chain of | | | | system are any indication of its industry station, |
| production for materials. | | | | than it is evident that this trend is the future of |
| The execution of successful recycling programs | | | | recycling and has the potential to bare |
| utilizing one container requires the collaboration of | | | | tremendous impact on environmental |
| material collectors, processors, manufactures and | | | | preservation. |
| purchasers alike. A well organized channel of | | | | |