United States Solid Waste and EPA530-F-94-001
Environmental Protection Emergency Response June 1994
Agency (5305)
Recycling Means Business:
EPA's Market Development Strategy
The three chasing arrows of the recycling logo portray a seemingly simple
system,, Materials are collect xi out of the waste stream for recycling. Next, they are
processed and used to make ru w products. Finally, the purchase of recycled products
closes the loop. Recycling, h< weve;-, :s much more complex than the symbol indicates.
^_ At its core, recyclirg is about >h ftirg to an environmentally-responsible manufacturing
economy that conserves natuni resources, energy, and disposal capacity. For this shift
to take place, numerous barrie s must be addressed. For example:
* Recycling businesses often lack ready a cess to technology, marketing information, and business
development assistance. In addition, recycling businesses are often perceived as risky ventures by
financiers unfamiliar with the recycling industry.
> Many state and local governnent marke: development programs need mechanisms to coordinate
their activities, share information, and lean from each other's experiences.
> Government agencies and private sector entities often lack partnerships that would enable them to
work cooperatively to build markets.
» Manufacturers and distributors of recycled products often find it difficult to gain access to
markets provided by large purchasers such is government agencies and large corporations.
» Recycled products have not achieved widespread public acceptance due to a lack of performance
history and general public awareness.
Market Development, w lich is defined as the process of strengthening or expanding both
intermediate and end-uses of materials collected for reuse or recycling, can mitigate these barriers
while advancing other national goals of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, such as:
> Harmonizing environmental protection with economic growth
»> Preventing pollution and conserving natural resources and energy
* Enhancing the capacity of State, Tribal, and local government programs
» Promoting public-private partnerships and building government alliances
* Fostering technology development and transfer.
In this Strategy, EPA is adopting three equally important Market Development goals that will
guide the Agency's market development activities and leverage other resources outside EPA.
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with Soy/Canola Ink on paper that
contains at least 50% post-consumer recycled fiber
-------
EPA's Market Development Goals
1) SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN THE L1\K BETWEEN INCREASED MARKET CAPACITY AND
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH.
Objectives: Stimulate interaction and coordination among the economic development,
financial, and recycling communities.
Promote the use of recycled feedstock by assisting recycling businesses.
Through leadership and advocacy, EPA can demonstrate that environmental protection and economic
prosperity are complementary pursuits. By implementing this goal, EPA will build bridges between the public
and private sectors, create and expand networks to provide processors and manufacturers with needed
assistance, and encourage them to use recycled feedstock.
2) LEVERAGE FEDERAL RESOURCES AND BUILD FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR MARKET
DEVELOPMENT.
Objectives: Maximize Federal purchases of recycled products.
Facilitate access to Federal information, research, and programs.
Mobilize Federal participation in market development.
Acting as a catalyst, EPA can demonstrate ho\\ Federal agencies can further their primary missions while
incorporating environmental protection goals. Achieving this goal will demonstrate how Federal agencies can
not only procure recycled products, but also participate in the strengthening of recycling infrastructure by
promoting resource efficient approaches and partnerships.
3) DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURES THAT SUPPORT MARKETS FOR RECYCLABLES AND
RECYCLED PRODUCTS.
Objectives: Strengthen State, Tribal, and local government capabilities.
Foster the establishment and exchange of market development information.
Maximize public and private sector purchases of recycled products.
By helping to create, expand, and disseminate information about existing organizational infrastructures, EPA
can establish foundations for the activities of other groups. Through this goal, EPA will help improve
existing market development programs, provide opportunities for the exchange of information and lessons
learned, and promote increased procurement of recycled products by the public and private sectors.
These goals are the basis for EPA's internal market development Strategy which will direct EPA
activities in fiscal years 1995-1996 and beyond I look forward to working with the public and private
sectors to implement this Strategy which will promote the development of mature recycling markets to
permanently "close the recycling loop."
Carol M. Browner
EPA Administrator
------- |