E-Bits highlights ILSR’s Waste to Wealth Program work, from creating jobs and recycling-oriented enterprises, to recycling policies that close the loop locally, to model waste reduction initiatives. … Read More
Product reuse is even more job-intensive than recycling. It is a knowledge-based industry, with a premium placed on accurate sorting and pricing, and good inventory management.… Read More
This report—prepared for the GrassRoots Recycling Network—summarizes the state of wasting and recycling in the U.S., details recycling’s many environmental and economic benefits, introduces the concept of zero waste planning, and concludes with an agenda for action. Recycling continues to increase, but is being outpaced by the rise in wasting. Landfill tonnage and interstate shipments of … Read More
Prepared for the National Recycling Coalition by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, this report discusses recent developments in community and small business financing, identifies barriers and current needs, and outlines steps for linking recycling-based community development and small business financing. Appendices list and survey prominent community development corporations and finance institutions. Download PDF (147 KB)
This study presents 24 state-of-the-art U.S. manufacturers utilizing recycled materials as feedstock. Includes details on feedstocks, process, products, economics, and replicability. Valuable for those interested in attracting new businesses to their communities. Published by the U.S. EPA. by Michael Lewis, Timothy Swope, Bhushan Tuladhar, Daniel Sapon-Borson, Taraneh Stallings, and Tom Martin EPA-530-R-95-001 Download report (8.3 MB)
This report documents the jobs and revenues created by recycling and disposal operations in three cities. Appendices detail each city’s recycling activities and businesses. by Brenda Platt, Henry Jeanes, and Anne Kaufmann Download PDF File (4.63 MB)
This text surveys 67 reuse operations. The report covers materials targeted; warehouse, brokering, and listing services; warehouse and truck parameters; and employment practices. It also addresses financing reuse enterprises. by Michael Lewis, Russell Clark, Jeffrey Vandall, and Neil Seldman ISBN 0-917582-95-0, LC 95-31168 Download PDF File (13.3 MB)
This booklet provides information to help community economic development organizations create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for their constituents through recycling. It focuses on using public-private joint ventures to attract and expand scrap-based manufacturing. by Neil Seldman and Tom Martin Download PDF File (3.99 MB)
This booklet describes how to develop a business plan for a recycling enterprise. A glossary defines some basic accounting and economic terms. by Michael Lewis Download PDF File (1.18 MB)
