Recycling efforts in Northwest Arkansas have increased significantly, according to the third annual Regional Recycling Report released by the Northwest Arkansas Council. In 2023, local public, private, and nonprofit programs collected and processed at least 48,639 tons of recyclable material, according the report. This is a rise of more than 3,000 tons from the previous year, and is equivalent to keeping the annual waste of 50,000 average Americans out of landfills, based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data.
The most substantial growth was seen in Fayetteville, where collections of food scraps and yard waste for composting rose by over 50%, reaching nearly 12,000 tons. Fayetteville’s expansion of its organics composting operation, which serves both residents and businesses, has helped anchor regional composting efforts.
The council’s recycling initiative, NWA Recycles, is now in its fourth year, and continues to support and coordinate with numerous recycling programs across the region, with backing from the Walmart Foundation. Recent initiatives include partnerships to increase food waste composting in local schools, expand glass recycling in cities, and provide recycling services at more public events…