by Christopher Douglass

About the author: At the time this viewpoint was written, Christopher Douglass was the John M. Olin Fellow in Public Policy at the Center for the Study of American Business. He went on to enroll in the doctoral program in government and foreign affairs at the University of Virginia.

Recycling has become a major social institution in America. Its symbol— three chasing arrows—is ubiquitous, seemingly adorning every consumer product. Drop-off areas and recycling bins dot the suburban landscape. Elementary school students learn a new “Three R’s”—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

The Growth of Recycling in America

Almost 200 million Americans have access to community-run recycling programs, according to a survey by the American Forest and Paper Association. There are nearly 9,000 curbside recycling programs serving 52 percent of...