Once we have done our part recycling in our homes and businesses, many of us do not give another thought to what happens next to our recyclable materials and even what people do at a recycling center. That is not meant to be a criticism; it is just that we tend to focus on the benefits we see and hear the most. For example, everywhere we turn, the battle cry is to minimize pollution and preserve our natural resources. By reusing materials in existing products—cardboard, paper, metals, etc.—we are bettering our environment. Basically, let’s all do our part in protecting the planet, right?

For the most part, we hear that message loud and clear. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The recycling rate in the United States is 32.0%, a slight dip from where we were four years ago at 32.1% but still an all-time high over the past 30 years. This recycling boom also must shed light beyond the message of planet awareness to the social and economic benefits, including how recycling creates jobs.

At Texas Recycling, we have experienced that growth firsthand over the past 33 years with more than 225,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space. With that has come a litany of jobs, from drivers and sorters to plant managers, technicians, and everything in between. And the best part is the recycled materials industry sees an opportunity for more.

Texas Recycling: A Dallas Recycling Center for Metal, Cardboard, Paper Recycling and More! 214-357-0262

How the Recycled Materials Industry Creates Jobs in a Recycling Center

Recycling efforts increase as both the population and the amount of waste each person generates head in a similar direction. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent statistics, 292.4 million tons of Municipal Solid Waste were generated in 2018, with over 94 million tons being recycled and composted. In addition, over 35 million tons of MSW were combusted energy recovery, and more than 146 million tons were landfilled.

What does that tell us? Recycling is more widely practiced. So, it stands to reason that the process of getting recyclables from the bins in your home or office to the various manufacturers and sorting and processing centers all over the world is no small feat.

Below are just a few of the different workers involved in this process and what they do at a recycling center:

• Sorters — Recycling is a detailed process that requires separating the materials collected daily to avoid contamination. Sorters are asked to sift through and separate tons of items that come in daily on a conveyor belt so they can be processed.
• Heavy-Equipment Operators, Mechanics, and Technicians — Many different pieces of equipment are used to ensure recycling efforts run smoothly at various facilities. These operators use everything from excavators to sorting machines while guaranteeing these machines stay in peak condition.
• Gate Attendants – During regular operating hours, most recycling plants with a retail component—that is, an area open to the public for drop-offs—have a continuous stream of forward-thinking customers looking to unload materials. Gate attendants play a pivotal role as they are asked to monitor the flow of traffic and record waste volumes entering the collection site.
• Facility, Route, Account, and Office Managers — Recycling is a business and requires back-office personnel to ensure everything is running smoothly at a recycling center. This includes everyone from business account managers and route managers to upper management and human resources.
• Drivers — Recycling, waste management, and landfill facilities are continually looking for capable year-round drivers at a recycling center to pick up and deliver recyclables from homes, offices, and construction sites to their facilities. And because many of these recycling facilities are large, drivers may need to transport materials to different parts of the complex throughout the day.

Texas Recycling: Our Dallas Recycling Center Helps Your Business with Revenue from Recycling. Call 214-357-0262

Recycling Labor Statistics To Be Mindful Of

Below are statistics from the EPA’s most recent Recycling Economic Information (REI) Report. Recycling and reuse activities in the United States accounted for the following:

• 681,000 jobs in 2020
• $37.8 billion in wages
• $5.5 billion in tax revenues
• These numbers equate to 1.17 jobs for every 1,000 tons of materials recycled

With so many jobs being created every day, we as a society must continue our recycling efforts and praise the work of those hard workers at a recycling center near you. Texas Recycling is one of the leading Dallas recycling companies in the North Texas area, with workers who are here to serve. We process tons of recyclable paper and cardboard at our facility, not to mention industrial metals like copper, aluminum, and brass.

Dallas Recycling Center Serves as a Commercial Recycling Partner

For more than 30 years, Texas Recycling has been proud to be involved in a vibrant, innovative industry that is helping protect the environment and improving the quality of life for our neighbors in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Texas Recycling provides quality recycling services in North Texas. We process thousands of tons of recyclable paper, cardboard, newspaper, and metal at our 225,000-plus square-foot facility. So, if you still have a truckload of recyclable items, please give us a call at 214-357-0262 so we can let you know how we can help. 

Our creative solutions help companies embrace environmental responsibility and sustainability. Texas Recycling also offers our clients personalized customer service. From scheduled pickups for large commercial entities to our Public Buy Back Center for individuals and smaller businesses, we have a recycling solution to meet your needs.

Help both the environment and your bottom line by calling Texas Recycling at 214-357-0262 to get started on a commercial recycling or industrial recycling program for your organization.