The United States of America is not leading the world in recycling, nor is it making an attempt to do so. While other nations and confederations are finding ways to make recycling less commodity based and more aligned with sustainability initiatives, the issues facing the United States of America have to do with neglect in a clear set of guidelines or principals to lead in a uniformed policy, and the influence of private industry to silence positive...

The circular economy (CE), in which wastes from one activity or process are reused as resources for others, is beginning to take hold as a development strategy. CE models can preserve resources, create jobs, add economic value, minimize waste, and curb greenhouse gas emissions, yet few governments have enacted policies to move toward a circular model. CE policy, when present, is likely most effective on the municipal level: the majority of the global...