Mandatory Recycling Rates for Localities

Each county, city, town or regional authority is required to establish and maintain recycling programs to meet or exceed the following minimum recycling rates:

• 15% for localities or regions (called Solid Waste Planning Units or SWPUs) with population densities less than 100 persons per square mile or with an unemployment rate 50% higher than the statewide average, or
• 25% for all other Solid Waste Planning Units.

Solid Waste Planning Units are required to develop and maintain Solid Waste Management Plans. One component of these plans is to describe how the mandated recycling rates will be met or exceeded.  Planning Units are also required to report their recycling rate at set frequencies. If a Planning Unit falls below the mandated recycling rate, they may be required to submit a Recycling Action Plan.