America Recycles Day: Everything to Know About This Important Day

Since 1997, America Recycles Day has been recognizing the importance of recycling and promoting its benefits. America Recycles Day takes place on Sunday, November 15, and is a chance for all of us to take a moment to make sure we’re not only recycling as often as we should, but also that we’re recycling properly at work, at home and in public. 


Here's a complete guide to America Recycles Day!

 

Everything to Know About America Recycles Day




Why Recycle 

In 1960, the recycling rate was less than 7%. Today, it’s over 35%. This increase shows how much people have warmed up to the idea of recycling and realized the benefits of it — and there are many. According to a study by the Environmental Protection Agency, every 10,000 tons of recycled material supports approximately 16 jobs and $760,000 in wages. 

 

Here are other reasons why we recycle:

  • Reduces the amount of waste that would otherwise be sent to landfills or burnt in incinerators
  • Conserves natural resources 
  • Boosts economic security
  • Preserves energy
  • Prevents pollution since there’s less of a need to mine for new raw materials 
  • Creates jobs in manufacturing and recycling industries 

 

Recycling is much easier to do today than it has been in the past, since most major communities offer recycling bins to residents and free pickup services to make recycling easier.


The Effects of Recycling on Jobs and Revenue

In 2016, the Recycling Economic Information (REI) Study found that in a single year, reuse and recycling initiatives in the United States accounted for the following:

  • 757,000 jobs
  • $36.6 billion in wages
  • $6.7 billion in tax revenue


The REI study also looked at the jobs and revenue created by Construction and Demolition (C&D) materials and found that C&D recycling accounts for approximately 232,000 jobs, $11.6 billion in wages, and $1.9 billion in taxes. 



Recycling’s Effect on Energy Conservation

The everyday objects we recycle are used to create the products we buy, meaning that less new material needs to be harvested or mined from the planet. Since the processing, manufacturing and transportation of new materials uses energy, it is best to avoid it when possible. Using recycled material instead helps businesses save money while also reducing greenhouse gases. 

 

How to Celebrate America Recycles Day

The best way to celebrate America Recycles Day is to take steps to make sure you are optimizing your recycling practices throughout the year, no matter where you are. This means:

  • Checking the website of your local recycling services provider to make sure you’re familiar with what they accept and what they don’t accept. For example, you might realize that those pizza boxes that you’ve been tossing in the recycling bin aren’t recyclable at all.
  • When making purchasing decisions, try to choose the brand that uses recycled material instead of the brand that doesn’t, if you can. They should indicate right on the label whether the container was made with recycled materials and whether it is recyclable when you’re finished using the product.
  • Visit the Keep America Beautiful website where you can take a pledge to do the following within the next month:
    • Find out what materials are collected for recycling in your community.
    • Reduce the amount of waste you produce.
    • Recycle more.
    • Buy products made with recycled content.
    • Encourage one family member or one friend to take the #BeRecycled pledge.


Additionally, you can find an event near you or host an event that spreads awareness of the importance of recycling. Also, if you need to upgrade your kitchenware, check out GreenPan, which uses upcycled materials. Use a GreenPan coupon to save on your order:

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