Have you heard? November 15 is America Recycles Day. With the news cycle on overdrive, you may have missed the announcement. So this post shines a light on recycling.
Don’t feel compelled to recycle? I get it. I ignored recycling for years. And yet, I want to be a good steward of the earth. A responsible caretaker (Genesis 2:15).
Recycling is a step in that direction.
📋 DISCLOSURE – This page has affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Read more here.
What is America Recycles Day?
Keep America Beautiful is the largest community improvement organization in the United States. America Recycles Day is their major annual event. It has three goals:
- end littering,
- improve recycling,
- beautify communities.
America Recycles Day promotes recycling as a way to practice environmental stewardship. Each year, thousands of American citizens commit to recycling.
History of America Recycles Day
America Recycles Day began in my native state, Texas. Valerie Davis and Kevin Tuerff are ex-government workers who care about the environment. They launched Texas Recycles Day on November 15, 1994.
Based on its success, Tuerff and Davis proposed a national event in 1997. The National Recycling Coalition agreed and established America Recycles Day.
The Environmental Protection Agency joined in, too. It sponsored several events, including a White House press conference. This brought national awareness to the cause. In 2009, Keep America Beautiful took over the program. Most financial support comes from private sponsors.
📋 Get Involved: Click here to find an ARD event in your area. And contact your government office for local events and services.
Take the Recycling Pledge
The national recycling rate has increased over the past 30 years. The current rate is 34 percent, and it’s been stuck at this level for years.
We can do better, America. As we raise recycling awareness, let’s raise the recycling rate, too. It helps to remember these three words: reduce, reuse, AND recycle.
This month, I voted in the midterm election as a civic responsibility. Every week, I take part in curbside recycling as an environmental responsibility.
Will you join me? Click here to take the recycling pledge:
- Learn what materials are suitable for recycling in your city.
- Act by trashing less, recycling more, and buying recycled content.
- Share the recycling message (#BeRecycled) with others.
Curbside Recycling Programs
Recycling your trash is one way to keep America beautiful. Most cities encourage recycling, composting, and other safe waste disposal. Your city likely has a curbside recycling program.
Folk, it’s SO easy to start recycling!
Can you recycle your empty containers? Toss them in the recycle bin instead of the trash can. That’s it! Your waste management company does the rest.
We use a small plastic bin from Walmart (I like this one) to store rinsed, empty recyclables in the kitchen. As the bin fills, we move the items to a cart in the garage. On trash day, we roll the cart to the curb.
Recycling stops valuable resources from going to a landfill. And products made from recycled content decrease our dependence on limited natural resources. Buy recycled! My latest find: natural bamboo toothbrushes.
Are you ready to recycle? I’ve adapted these tips from San Antonio, Texas, guidelines. Contact your waste management company for details in your area.
DO Recycle These Items *
- paper – junk mail, newspapers, catalogs, gift wrap
- cardboard – cereal boxes, toilet tissue cores, broken-down boxes
- office supplies – file folders, printer paper, calendars
- glass – bottles, jars, glass containers
- metals – aluminum cans, steel cans, empty aerosol cans
- plastic – items with a “recyclable index” of 1-7
DO NOT Recycle These Items *
- branches, bagged leaves
- batteries, hazardous household waste
- facial tissue, toilet tissue, paper towels
- plastic bags, packing peanuts
- aluminum foil, metal coat hangers
- wax-coated cardboard containers
*These are recycling guidelines for San Antonio residents. Please contact your local waste management company for local details. Ask about single-stream recycling, hazardous waste, and cart tips.
Wrapping It Up
I hope you enjoyed this post on recycling. Writing it reminded me again how important it is to reuse, reduce, and recycle. May the tips above help both of us become better stewards of the earth. Happy America Recycles Day! ◻️
Related Posts
- 7 Ways to Celebrate a Green Halloween – Tips, Tricks, and Treats
- 8 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Ready for Fall
- 15 Thanksgiving Quotes That Will Inspire Gratitude and Joy
Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. Will you take part in America Recycles Day? How will you keep America beautiful in YOUR town?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a reply, ask a question, or say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
📋 NOTE – You are reading “America Recycles Day: How to Keep America Beautiful in Your Hometown.” An earlier version appeared on this blog in 2018. It has been updated for the Savoring Home community.
Photo Sources
- Shirley Hirst | Pixabay | License
- Jupiterimages / Photo Images | Canva | License
- Rudy and Peter Skitterians | Pixabay
