The U.S. recycling system is changing. The question is: are we changing with it? 

Today, The Recycling Partnership is releasing the first installment of the 2026 State of Recycling Report. This phased report shares current and comprehensive data and analysis on the U.S. residential recycling system, grounded in data from 9,000+ recycling programs serving 97% of the U.S. population. It is designed to help producers, policymakers, community leaders, organizations, and recycling professionals build a shared understanding of where residential recycling stands today and what it will take to move the system forward.

This time, we’re releasing the report in phased installments to make current insights publicly available as close to real time as possible and support alignment across the people and organizations working to improve recycling.

Now available: Part One: Setting the Stage | Observations of the U.S. Residential Recycling System

Inside this first release:

A look at the forces shaping recycling system performance today

New insights from the Recycling Confidence Index and what they signal for participation and long-term outcomes

Perspectives on how policy, infrastructure investment, and market conditions are influencing the path ahead.

This is just the beginning. Throughout the rest of the year and into next year, we’ll release additional installments that take a deeper look at the requirements of a fully functioning recycling system. Each installment will help clarify what is working, what is lacking, and where we can work together to move faster.