Number of Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
25,491
recyclable material merchant wholesalers businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The recyclable material merchant wholesalers industry has declined 11% since 2000 (from 28,651 to 25,491 firms).
- •The peak year was 2003 with 29,048 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is growing (+0.2%).
- •Employment: 335,667 workers in 2023 (4.0% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 64%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25,491 | 29,103 | 335,667 | 8.5% | 8.4% | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 25,500 | 29,080 | 337,449 | 11.2% | 8.6% | +6.5% |
| 2021 | 24,581 | 28,121 | 314,645 | 10.1% | 10.4% | -2.2% |
| 2020 | 24,675 | 28,071 | 320,705 | 8.1% | 10.4% | -1.6% |
| 2019 | 25,439 | 28,721 | 325,533 | 8.2% | 8.7% | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 25,581 | 28,825 | 323,501 | 8.2% | 9.7% | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 26,102 | 29,383 | 321,773 | 8.6% | 10.4% | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 26,974 | 30,361 | 321,496 | 8.9% | 10.7% | -3.6% |
| 2015 | 27,633 | 30,991 | 331,228 | 8.9% | 9.8% | -1.9% |
| 2014 | 27,911 | 31,291 | 335,353 | 9.4% | 9.9% | -0.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.