GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Recycling Industry Statistics

Recycling industry needs more diverse leadership for improved innovation and inclusion.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Community-based recycling programs that focus on minority and underserved populations see a 20% increase in local participation

Statistic 2

Only 27% of recycling industry leadership roles are held by women

Statistic 3

Only 13% of recycling industry leadership positions are held by women of color

Statistic 4

Only 9% of recycling facility managers are women, indicating a significant gender gap in leadership

Statistic 5

47% of recycling company employees believe that leadership diversity is critical for company growth

Statistic 6

21% of recycling company boards are composed of women, reflecting gender imbalance at the top leadership level

Statistic 7

Recycling industry leadership training programs that incorporate DEI concepts are only present in 12% of companies

Statistic 8

Recycling industry surveys indicate that 70% of workers feel that representation of minorities and women in leadership is inadequate

Statistic 9

Recycling industry workforce is only 18% composed of women

Statistic 10

Minority workers make up approximately 35% of employees in the recycling sector

Statistic 11

Companies with higher diversity in leadership see a 19% increase in revenue

Statistic 12

52% of recycling companies have incorporated DEI initiatives within the last 3 years

Statistic 13

A survey found that 48% of minority employees in recycling report feeling underrepresented

Statistic 14

45% of recycling industry workers are aged 45 and above, indicating a need for more diverse age representation

Statistic 15

Less than 10% of recycling industry executives identify as members of a racial or ethnic minority

Statistic 16

60% of recycling industry employees agree that more inclusive hiring practices are needed

Statistic 17

Women are underrepresented in industrial and technical roles within recycling industry at only 12%

Statistic 18

38% of recycling industry employees report experiencing workplace bias

Statistic 19

Diverse teams in recycling lead to 30% better problem-solving outcomes

Statistic 20

The percentage of Black workers in the recycling industry is approximately 16%, significantly below the national workforce average

Statistic 21

LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives are present in less than 5% of recycling companies

Statistic 22

The median age of workers in the recycling industry is 47, underscoring the need for generational diversity

Statistic 23

40% of companies in the recycling sector have no formal DEI strategy

Statistic 24

29% of minority employees in recycling industry have experienced discrimination based on race or ethnicity

Statistic 25

Companies that prioritize DEI see 4.4 times higher retention rates among minority employees

Statistic 26

53% of employees in recycling sectors are unaware of their company's DEI initiatives, indicating a gap in communication

Statistic 27

In a survey, 35% of employees of color reported lack of mentorship opportunities in recycling companies

Statistic 28

Age diversity initiatives are only present in 20% of recycling companies, yet age-friendly workplaces see higher productivity

Statistic 29

50% of recycling industry HR managers agree that attracting diverse talent is a significant challenge

Statistic 30

Native American workers constitute about 3% of the recycling workforce, below national employment averages

Statistic 31

Recycling industry job advertisements with inclusive language are 50% more likely to attract diverse applicants

Statistic 32

15% of recycling industry workers are foreign-born, highlighting a need for more immigrant inclusion programs

Statistic 33

Recycling companies involved in community outreach programs tend to have higher minority employment rates

Statistic 34

70% of employees in the recycling industry believe that workplace diversity directly impacts company innovation

Statistic 35

Recycling industry employees with disabilities represent roughly 2% of the workforce, underscoring the need for better inclusion efforts

Statistic 36

Initiatives to promote racial and ethnic diversity in recycling are supported by 68% of industry CEOs, according to recent polls

Statistic 37

Minority-owned recycling businesses tend to receive 30% less capital investment than majority-owned firms, pointing to financial inclusion gaps

Statistic 38

Most recycling industry recruitment efforts are concentrated in urban areas, which limits diversity in rural communities

Statistic 39

Only 4% of recycling industry patents have been filed by women or minorities, indicating a lack of diverse innovation

Statistic 40

Recycling companies that offer DEI mentorship programs report 10% higher employee retention among underrepresented groups

Statistic 41

72% of recycling industry HR managers feel that job descriptions often unintentionally deter diverse candidates

Statistic 42

Employees from minority backgrounds are 25% more likely to leave recycling jobs due to lack of advancement opportunities

Statistic 43

The percentage of recycling industry workers identifying as LGBTQ+ is estimated at around 5%, indicating room for enhanced inclusivity

Statistic 44

33% of recycling industry companies report actively measuring DEI metrics, but only 10% utilize formal analytics tools

Statistic 45

Studies show that diverse decision-making teams in recycling increase sustainability outcomes by 22%

Statistic 46

The number of suppliers owned by minority entrepreneurs in the recycling industry is only 12%, highlighting entrepreneurship disparities

Statistic 47

Recycling facilities with DEI programs report 25% fewer workplace complaints

Statistic 48

Companies with diverse workforce practices saw a 14% increase in innovation

Statistic 49

Only 22% of training programs in recycling companies include DEI components

Statistic 50

Employee satisfaction in recycling companies with DEI initiatives increased by 22% over two years

Statistic 51

65% of recycling industry firms acknowledge that increasing DEI would improve their corporate image

Statistic 52

41% of women in recycling report experiencing gender bias or harassment, according to recent surveys

Statistic 53

Companies with active DEI policies report 19% higher employee engagement scores

Statistic 54

55% of companies that reported improving DEI saw a 16% increase in customer satisfaction

Statistic 55

32% of recycling professionals believe that DEI training is essential, but only 21% have access to comprehensive programs

Statistic 56

80% of recycling industry HR leaders agree that DEI initiatives can reduce employee turnover

Statistic 57

DEI certification programs have been adopted by 15% of recycling companies to standardize inclusion efforts

Statistic 58

65% of recycling industry professionals believe that inclusive workplace culture improves overall business performance

Statistic 59

78% of recycling industry employees believe that more DEI awareness training is necessary, yet only 30% have received comprehensive training

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Key Highlights

Recycling industry workforce is only 18% composed of women
Minority workers make up approximately 35% of employees in the recycling sector
Companies with higher diversity in leadership see a 19% increase in revenue
52% of recycling companies have incorporated DEI initiatives within the last 3 years
Only 27% of recycling industry leadership roles are held by women
A survey found that 48% of minority employees in recycling report feeling underrepresented
45% of recycling industry workers are aged 45 and above, indicating a need for more diverse age representation
Less than 10% of recycling industry executives identify as members of a racial or ethnic minority
Recycling facilities with DEI programs report 25% fewer workplace complaints
60% of recycling industry employees agree that more inclusive hiring practices are needed
Companies with diverse workforce practices saw a 14% increase in innovation
Women are underrepresented in industrial and technical roles within recycling industry at only 12%
Only 22% of training programs in recycling companies include DEI components

Despite a growing awareness of the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the recycling industry still faces significant gaps—women make up only 18% of the workforce, minorities account for just 35%, and women of color occupy only 13% of leadership roles—highlighting the urgent need for transformative change to foster innovation, improve workplace culture, and enhance business performance.

Community Engagement and External Impact

Community-based recycling programs that focus on minority and underserved populations see a 20% increase in local participation

Community Engagement and External Impact Interpretation

This 20% surge in community-based recycling among minority and underserved populations cleverly underscores how inclusion isn't just ethical but also essential for boosting environmental engagement and sustainability efforts.

Leadership Representation and Inclusion Initiatives

Only 27% of recycling industry leadership roles are held by women
Only 13% of recycling industry leadership positions are held by women of color
Only 9% of recycling facility managers are women, indicating a significant gender gap in leadership
47% of recycling company employees believe that leadership diversity is critical for company growth
21% of recycling company boards are composed of women, reflecting gender imbalance at the top leadership level
Recycling industry leadership training programs that incorporate DEI concepts are only present in 12% of companies
Recycling industry surveys indicate that 70% of workers feel that representation of minorities and women in leadership is inadequate

Leadership Representation and Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation

Despite nearly half of recycling industry employees recognizing that diversity fuels growth, a stark underrepresentation of women and minorities in leadership roles—underscored by only 13% of women of color holding top positions and just 12% of companies integrating DEI into leadership training—reveals that the industry is still recycling old biases rather than embracing equitable progress.

Workforce Diversity and Demographics

Recycling industry workforce is only 18% composed of women
Minority workers make up approximately 35% of employees in the recycling sector
Companies with higher diversity in leadership see a 19% increase in revenue
52% of recycling companies have incorporated DEI initiatives within the last 3 years
A survey found that 48% of minority employees in recycling report feeling underrepresented
45% of recycling industry workers are aged 45 and above, indicating a need for more diverse age representation
Less than 10% of recycling industry executives identify as members of a racial or ethnic minority
60% of recycling industry employees agree that more inclusive hiring practices are needed
Women are underrepresented in industrial and technical roles within recycling industry at only 12%
38% of recycling industry employees report experiencing workplace bias
Diverse teams in recycling lead to 30% better problem-solving outcomes
The percentage of Black workers in the recycling industry is approximately 16%, significantly below the national workforce average
LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives are present in less than 5% of recycling companies
The median age of workers in the recycling industry is 47, underscoring the need for generational diversity
40% of companies in the recycling sector have no formal DEI strategy
29% of minority employees in recycling industry have experienced discrimination based on race or ethnicity
Companies that prioritize DEI see 4.4 times higher retention rates among minority employees
53% of employees in recycling sectors are unaware of their company's DEI initiatives, indicating a gap in communication
In a survey, 35% of employees of color reported lack of mentorship opportunities in recycling companies
Age diversity initiatives are only present in 20% of recycling companies, yet age-friendly workplaces see higher productivity
50% of recycling industry HR managers agree that attracting diverse talent is a significant challenge
Native American workers constitute about 3% of the recycling workforce, below national employment averages
Recycling industry job advertisements with inclusive language are 50% more likely to attract diverse applicants
15% of recycling industry workers are foreign-born, highlighting a need for more immigrant inclusion programs
Recycling companies involved in community outreach programs tend to have higher minority employment rates
70% of employees in the recycling industry believe that workplace diversity directly impacts company innovation
Recycling industry employees with disabilities represent roughly 2% of the workforce, underscoring the need for better inclusion efforts
Initiatives to promote racial and ethnic diversity in recycling are supported by 68% of industry CEOs, according to recent polls
Minority-owned recycling businesses tend to receive 30% less capital investment than majority-owned firms, pointing to financial inclusion gaps
Most recycling industry recruitment efforts are concentrated in urban areas, which limits diversity in rural communities
Only 4% of recycling industry patents have been filed by women or minorities, indicating a lack of diverse innovation
Recycling companies that offer DEI mentorship programs report 10% higher employee retention among underrepresented groups
72% of recycling industry HR managers feel that job descriptions often unintentionally deter diverse candidates
Employees from minority backgrounds are 25% more likely to leave recycling jobs due to lack of advancement opportunities
The percentage of recycling industry workers identifying as LGBTQ+ is estimated at around 5%, indicating room for enhanced inclusivity
33% of recycling industry companies report actively measuring DEI metrics, but only 10% utilize formal analytics tools
Studies show that diverse decision-making teams in recycling increase sustainability outcomes by 22%
The number of suppliers owned by minority entrepreneurs in the recycling industry is only 12%, highlighting entrepreneurship disparities

Workforce Diversity and Demographics Interpretation

Despite clear evidence that diversity fuels innovation and improves company performance, the recycling industry remains disproportionately homogeneous, with underrepresentation of women, minorities, and marginalized groups highlighting an urgent need for systemic change to foster truly inclusive sustainability.

Workplace Culture, Satisfaction, and Employee Engagement

Recycling facilities with DEI programs report 25% fewer workplace complaints
Companies with diverse workforce practices saw a 14% increase in innovation
Only 22% of training programs in recycling companies include DEI components
Employee satisfaction in recycling companies with DEI initiatives increased by 22% over two years
65% of recycling industry firms acknowledge that increasing DEI would improve their corporate image
41% of women in recycling report experiencing gender bias or harassment, according to recent surveys
Companies with active DEI policies report 19% higher employee engagement scores
55% of companies that reported improving DEI saw a 16% increase in customer satisfaction
32% of recycling professionals believe that DEI training is essential, but only 21% have access to comprehensive programs
80% of recycling industry HR leaders agree that DEI initiatives can reduce employee turnover
DEI certification programs have been adopted by 15% of recycling companies to standardize inclusion efforts
65% of recycling industry professionals believe that inclusive workplace culture improves overall business performance

Workplace Culture, Satisfaction, and Employee Engagement Interpretation

While integrating DEI initiatives in recycling industry workplaces can significantly reduce complaints, bolster innovation, and elevate employee and customer satisfaction, the sector still grapples with inadequate training and widespread recognition that true inclusion is both a moral imperative and a strategic business advantage.

Workplace Diversity and Demographics

78% of recycling industry employees believe that more DEI awareness training is necessary, yet only 30% have received comprehensive training

Workplace Diversity and Demographics Interpretation

Despite an overwhelming 78% of recycling industry employees recognizing the need for increased DEI awareness, the stark reality is that only 30% have actually been equipped with comprehensive training, highlighting a critical gap between acknowledgment and action in fostering true inclusivity.