A national shift from the use of virgin raw materials to greater use of recycled raw materials could significantly reduce our nation\u27s energy needs. Local governments are slowly but increasingly establishing solid waste recycling programs, but they are commonly operated as add ons to the existing solid waste disposal system rather than being an integral part of it. The result is both energy and monetary waste, and the taxpayers have to pick up the bill. A case study from Rolla, Missouri, quantifies the energy conservation and monetary costs and benefits of a coordinated solid waste disposal-recycling system
