America Recycles Day

In 2007, November 15 has been designated as America Recycles Day. Sure, sorting all those pieces of junk mail and cat food cans isn’t sexy, but consider the positive impact it’s having:

· According to the EPA, recycling diverted 68 million tons of material away from landfills and incinerators in 2001, up from 34 million tons in 1990.

· Last year, Americans recycled enough aluminum cans to conserve the energy equivalent of more than 15 million barrels of oil.

· The national recycling rate of 30 percent saves the equivalent of more than five billion gallons of gasoline, reducing dependence on foreign oil by 114 million barrels.

· Every Sunday 500,000 trees could be saved if everyone recycled their newspapers.

· Recycling 35 percent of our trash reduces emissions equivalent to taking 36 million cars of the road.

· Recycling does more than just save resources, it creates jobs. Consider this: incinerating 10,000 tons of waste creates one job; landfilling 10,000 tons of waste creates six jobs. But recycling 10,000 tons of waste creates 36 jobs.

Recycling is becoming even more convenient and cost-effective (twenty years ago, there was only one curbside recycling program. Today there are over 9,000); you can find local resources here.

http://www.grrn.org/resources/sros.html

http://www.epa.gov/epahome/whereyoulive.htm

http://nrc-recycle.org/americarecycles.aspx

While you’re probably doing a great job already with your recycling efforts (at least, we hope so!), here are some ways to streamline the process even more:

· Use smaller garbage cans as a reminder to recycle more materials.

· Reorganize the kitchen to create an efficient recycling area with good sized bins to help with sorting and holding. This will also encourage everyone – not just you! – to pitch in.

· Many grocery stores recycle plastic bags, but you can also use them creatively to get more out of them:
-Place them in the bottom of plant pots and hanging baskets - they act as great drainage systems.
-Children can use them for carrying gym gear to school.
-Use them as alternative to bubble wrap when packing items.
-Use them as 'doggy doo bags' when out walking your dog!

· Recycle your junk mail – or better yet, reduce how much you receive. There are organizations who will contact direct marketers and get you off of 80-90% of the lists. 41Pounds.org even donates part of their fee to “green” causes – which keeps the recycling going! http://www.41pounds.org/

· With constant upgrades to cell phones, laptops and other electronic items, “e-waste” is a growing problem. Happily, there are more alternatives to the landfill:

-Staples recently announced it will accept old computers and other electronics for recycling. Find out more here. http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/about/soul/recycling.html

-Consider donating your old cell phones to charity. Here’s one organization that can help. http://www.phones4charity.org/

Mark America Recycles Day by making every day one that helps not just the environment, but also your local community!