Closing the US Recycling Gap II: Modeling evidence for policy interventions, with Dr. Stijn van Ewijk

The US recycles only about a third of municipal solid waste. This seminar is the second of two about improving US recycling. The talk will cover a modeling study that investigates policy solutions to increase national recycling. The model consists of a highly detailed material flow analysis of US MSW generation, collection, and sorting. Through scenario analysis, the study identifies pathways for increased recycling, including an expansion of single stream curbside collection, sorting capacity, and deposit legislation. The seminar will provide insight into the practical problems and potential solutions for MSW recycling, as well as the challenges and opportunities of models as sources of evidence for policy.