Cities in the United States mainly use classified collection methods to collect household waste, and various classified collection bins and enclosed garbage trucks are commonly equipped in various places to ensure the implementation of classified collection and transportation. Usually operated by companies specializing in waste collection and treatment. At present, the specific collection models for recyclable waste in the United States include waste sorting, source classification, and mixed collection.
Garbage sorting is a waste collection and disposal method that has emerged in the United States in recent years. It targets food waste, yard waste, and kitchen waste by category, allowing them to be sorted at the source and directly enter the appropriate processing procedures. This approach not only promotes the classification and treatment of waste with different components, but also promotes the recycling and regeneration of waste resources. For example, in response to kitchen waste and yard waste in residential households, the Markal City government in Pennsylvania has organized a Green Mission event to equip residents with standard 240L wheeled green garbage bins, thereby achieving the goal of waste diversion. Source classification is a waste sorting measure promoted by various states in the United States. It not only achieves source control and reduction of waste, but also effectively improves the purity of various household waste components and promotes the recycling and reuse of useful substances. For example, residents of Philadelphia place recyclable items such as newspapers and beverage cans into containers labeled with the homeowner's name and address code according to classification requirements, and then garbage collection trucks transport these containers together to the processing plant for unified sorting. The government issues vouchers every month based on the amount of garbage collected by each household. Residents set up voucher accounts at designated banks and settle accounts once a month. Vouchers can be used at designated grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, etc. A survey conducted by the American Forest Paper Association in 2004 showed that the mixed collection of recyclable waste increased the cost of paper recycling, as other materials mixed in the paper made processing more complex, resulting in increased sorting costs but reduced collection and transportation costs.
The biggest advantage of using a mixed collection method is that it is convenient for residents and is welcomed by most families.
