Dive Brief:
- Washington's rate of recycling dropped a fraction to 50.1% in 2012. The year before, the rate had been 50.7%, according to the state Ecology Department.
- The volume of recycling was recorded at 4.4 million tons.
- Although down, the recycling rate still managed to pass the 50% goal mandated by the state.
Dive Insight:
The national recycling average was almost 35% in 2011, according to officials. Many states are looking to raise recycling rates, particularly after studies uncover low rates of recycling.