PA. eclipses 4 million ton mark.

Pennsylvania's municipal recycling efforts exceeded 4 million tons recovered for the first time in history, according to reports for all materials recycled in 2002 filed by Pennsylvania counties.

"We have demonstrated that we can create a vast supply of commodities ranging from paper and cardboard to containers and computers, and we are fortunate that many of these items can be processed and turned into new goods right here in Pennsylvania," Gov. Edward Rendell says.

Pennsylvania's recycling industry, which includes 141 manufacturers of recycled products, is a $23.4 billion industry that employs more than 81,000 people. Recycling generates $18.4 billion in annual sales to the state economy and contributes $305 million in state taxes.

In 2002, Pennsylvanians diverted nearly 4.1 million tons of municipal commodities from landfills and waste-to-energy plants.

Department of General Services (DGS) Secretary Donald T. Cunningham Jr. reports that DGS's Commonwealth Agency Recycling Office credited the state's general fund with more than $112,500 from the sale of 3,800 tons of office paper, newspapers and corrugated boxes in 2002. Recycling these materials avoided nearly $190,500 in disposal costs, he says, while the DGS Bureau of Surplus Property generated $355,500 from the sale of batteries, scrap metals, tires and used oil.