Circular Ohio

A circular economy is a team effort. When your recyclables are collected by your curbside hauler or brought to a nearby drop-off   location, not only are you diverting trash from landfills, but you are also helping support Ohio’s economy through jobs and creating new products.  

Franklin County’s residential recycling program captures about 40% of our residential households’ recyclables. While this is above average, we must do better. Recent public survey results released by SWACO in 2022 showed that 92% of central Ohioans think it’s important to recycle. That same research uncovered a major myth: 63% of those surveyed believe that even when sorted correctly, most recycling winds up at the landfill. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. 

Ohio's robust circular economy.

As a consumer, you are an important part of the circular economy equation. Consumer demand for recycled-content and more sustainably-sourced products are driving change across the business community with more companies and corporations pledging to act sustainably. Central Ohio is home to nearly 400 recycling-reliant businesses supporting more than 5,000 jobs and generating $1.3 billion in revenue for the region’s economy. They need our household recyclables to keep their operations strong and to meet their goals.


When shopping, look for items which are made from recycled content or are packaged in materials that are accepted for recycling in the local curbside or drop-off program. The small effort it takes to recycle right supports these Ohio businesses and the circular economy. 


From your curb to new products, thanks to Ohio businesses.

Circular O Web

Plasticwater-bottle-with-label

Recycling plastic bottles is big business in Ohio. Phoenix Technologies and Evergreen, both located in Northwest Ohio, are two examples of companies that create plastic pellets from recycled single-use beverage bottles, which then are used to make new products such as food and health and beauty containers. Together they employ more than 300 Ohioans responsible for processing hundreds of millions of pounds of recycled materials per year. That work also diverts more than 200 million pounds from landfills and creates new products used by consumers across the globe. 

Learn more about PET plastics recycling.

Paper and Cardboardpapercardboard3

Virtually all household paper and cardboard are accepted as part of the curbside and drop-off recycling programs. This includes food and beverage cartons commonly used for milk, soup, juice, wine and broth. When recycled, these materials are sorted and baled together at the material recovery facility where they go on to papermills and packaging companies like Pratt Industries in Wapakoneta, Ohio and Greif, headquartered in Delaware, Ohio. That is where, instead of the landfill, materials are transformed into new paper products as well as building materials.

Learn more about paper and cardboard recycling.

GlassDepositphotos_69263031_original

Glass bottles and jars come in all shapes and colors, all of which can be endlessly recyclable into new products. There are many environmental benefits to recycling glass, including significantly reducing the amount of water pollution and energy consumption. Fortunately, Ohio is home to several glass recyclers like O-I Glass in Zanesville, Owens Corning in Toledo and Rumpke Waste & Recycling in Dayton. When Central Ohio's glass bottles and jars leave the curb, they go on to become new glass bottles, jars or even fiberglass.

Learn more about glass recycling.

Metal RecyclingCan

The aluminum and steel used to make our food and beverage cans are made from nonrenewable natural resources that are limited in supply, making it all the more important to recycle them. According to the Aluminum Association, the U.S aluminum industry recycles more than 40 billion cans every year. In Ohio, our cans go on to companies like Franklin Iron & Metal Corp in Dayton, Ohio where they are recycled into new cans, sold to beverage bottlers and back on supermarket shelves in as little as 60 days. 

More information coming soon about metal recycling.

Have questions about recycling? 

Visit RecycleRight.org and start making a difference today for Ohio's environment and economic development.