SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new report highlighting the economic impacts of the country’s recycling industry. However, the report cites several challenges that hamper the planned improvements to recycling systems.

According to the latest “Recycling Economic Information Report” published by the EPA, recycling plays a critical role in U.S. economy, accounting for approximately 681,000 American jobs. The recycling-related jobs are responsible for generating $37.8 billion in annual employee wages. The industry as a whole contributes nearly $5.5 billion in annual tax revenue.

The EPA report states that the recycling rates in the country have been badly impacted by weak recycling markets- both domestic as well as international. There are several other factors that affect the recycling rates, such as public confusion about what, how and where to recycle various materials and lack of improvements in recycling infrastructure.

Despite the robust economic contributions, only a minority of the waste generated in the U.S. ends up recycled. The total volume of trash generated by Americans has recorded significant increase over the past two decades. The overall recycling rates still stand below 25%.

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