Recycling manufacturing involves the conversion of recyclables into new products.  The primary recycling industries in Pennsylvania are steel mills, paper and paperboard mills, plastic converters, glass container plants and nonferrous metal manufacturers.  These and other recycling manufactures employ more than 64,000 people with a payroll of almost $2.5 billion and annual sales of more than $15.5 billion.

Reuse and remanufacturing focuses on the refurbishing and repair of products.  The largest activities are retail sales of used motor vehicle parts and used merchandise.  Reuse and remanufacturing contributes more than 7,000 jobs, a payroll of $115 million and sales of more than $500 million annually.

Municipal and private collectors, material recovery and composting facilities and recyclable material wholesalers employ nearly 10,000 people in Pennsylvania with a payroll of $284 million and annual sales of $2.3 billion.