U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure

Overview

This project analyzes the relationship between recycling infrastructure and populated areas in the U.S., focusing on access to recycling facilities in densely populated regions. The data utilized comes from three datasets: U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure, USA Census Populated Places, and U.S. EPA Recyclable Materials, all imported from ArcGIS Living Atlas.

Methodology

In the geoprocessing phase, I began by creating a buffer zone around each recycling facility using a 3-mile radius to represent the average distance that the recycling facility could affect the local community. This buffer illustrates the potential reach of recycling services in relation to nearby populated areas.

Next, I used the “Intersect” tool to identify populated places that fell within these buffer zones, allowing me to visualize areas where residents either had direct access to the recycling facilities or were impacted by emissions.

Lastly, I performed a “Spatial Join” to combine the attributes of the populated places with those of the recycling infrastructure, resulting in a comprehensive dataset that included population figures, recycling facility information, and the overlap between the two.

1

Buffer Analysis

3-mile radius around each recycling facility

2

Intersect

Identify populated places within buffer zones

3

Spatial Join

Combine population and facility attributes

National Overview

I created multiple thematic maps that visually represented the relationship between population density and access to recycling services. The maps highlighted the different types of recycling facilities in the U.S. and focused on specific regions, including the Southeast, Midwest, Central U.S., Northeast, West, and Southwest.

Graduated colors depicted population density, while symbols indicated the locations of recycling facilities. This effectively highlighted areas where high population densities coincided with accessible recycling facilities, as well as regions with limited access.

U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure — national map showing types of recycling facilities and 3-mile buffer zones — National map of U.S. EPA recycling infrastructure showing facility types (electronics, glass, materials recovery, paper, plastic, textiles, wood) with 3-mile service radius buffers.

Source: U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure

Source: USA Census Populated Places

Source: U.S. EPA Recyclable Materials

Regional Analysis

Each region was analyzed individually to understand how recycling access varies geographically. Population density is shown in graduated blue tones, while recycling facility types are marked with distinct symbols.

U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure — Northeast region — Northeast Region — High population density corridors (NYC, Boston, Philadelphia) show strong overlap with recycling facility buffers.

U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure — Southeast region — Southeast Region — Mixed coverage with gaps in rural areas of Mississippi, Alabama, and the Carolinas.

U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure — Central region — Central Region — Sparse recycling infrastructure relative to population centers like Dallas, Houston, and Kansas City.

U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure — Midwest region — Midwest Region — Chicago metro area well-served; significant gaps in rural communities across Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas.

U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure — Southwest region — Southwest Region — Phoenix and Tucson metro areas show facility clustering; large underserved areas across New Mexico and rural Arizona.

U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure — West region — West Region — California coastline well-covered; inland areas of Nevada, Oregon, and Washington show limited access.

Key Findings

Access Disparities

Areas with high population density often showed significant overlap with recycling facility buffers, indicating adequate access to services. Conversely, regions with low population density tended to have fewer recycling facilities, highlighting the need for potential infrastructure development in those areas.

Equity Gaps

By identifying these gaps, local governments and organizations can prioritize the establishment of new recycling facilities or improve existing ones to enhance access for underserved communities.

Policy Implications

The findings emphasize the importance of ensuring that all communities, regardless of population density, have equitable access to recycling services, thereby promoting sustainable waste management practices.

Geoprocessing Report

The maps created for Assignment 1 analyze the relationship between recycling infrastructure and populated areas in the U.S., focusing on access to recycling facilities in densely populated regions. The data utilized comes from three datasets: U.S. EPA Recycling Infrastructure, USA Census Populated Places, and U.S. EPA Recyclable Materials, all imported from ArcGIS Living Atlas.

In the geoprocessing phase, I began by creating a buffer zone around each recycling facility using a 3-mile radius to represent the average distance that the recycling facility could affect the local community. This buffer illustrates the potential reach of recycling services in relation to nearby populated areas. Next, I used the “Intersect” tool to identify populated places that fell within these buffer zones, allowing me to visualize areas where residents either had direct access to the recycling facilities or were impacted by emissions. Lastly, I performed a “Spatial Join” to combine the attributes of the populated places with those of the recycling infrastructure, resulting in a comprehensive dataset that included population figures, recycling facility information, and the overlap between the two.

I created multiple thematic maps that visually represented the relationship between population density and access to recycling services. The maps highlighted the different types of recycling facilities in the U.S. and focused on specific regions, including the Southeast, Midwest, Central U.S., Northeast, West, and Southwest. Graduated colors depicted population density, while symbols indicated the locations of recycling facilities. This effectively highlighted areas where high population densities coincided with accessible recycling facilities, as well as regions with limited access.

The analysis revealed several important insights regarding recycling access in relation to population density. Areas with high population density often showed significant overlap with recycling facility buffers, indicating adequate access to services. Conversely, regions with low population density tended to have fewer recycling facilities, highlighting the need for potential infrastructure development in those areas. By identifying these gaps, local governments and organizations can prioritize the establishment of new recycling facilities or improve existing ones to enhance access for underserved communities.

In conclusion, I enjoyed this mapping project and felt that I successfully illustrated the relationship between recycling infrastructure and populated areas. By utilizing spatial analysis techniques, the study provided valuable insights into access disparities, which could inform policymakers and stakeholders about where improvements in recycling infrastructure are needed. The findings emphasize the importance of ensuring that all communities, regardless of population density, have equitable access to recycling services, thereby promoting sustainable waste management practices.