Welcome America Recycles Day 2023 by Going Green in Every Way
America Recycles Day, celebrated each year on November 15th, promotes recycling across the United States. This national observance, organized by groups like Keep America Beautiful, encourages citizens and organizations to reduce waste and recycle properly all year long.
As we approach America Recycles Day 2023, it’s important to understand the impact of recycling, learn how to participate in recycling efforts and spread awareness about sustainable waste management.
Contents
A Brief History of America Recycles Day
America Recycles Day started in 1994 as Texas Recycles Day, created by employees of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In 1997 it expanded into a national event, announced in Orlando, Florida by a parade and ceremony attended by over 2,000 people and then Vice President Al Gore.
In 1999 President Clinton signed a proclamation making it an official national observance, highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of recycling. Over the years America Recycles Day has continued to grow, with around 3,000 events held across the country in 2007.
In 2009 the struggling National Recycling Coalition handed ownership of the holiday to Keep America Beautiful. They remain the managing organization today, promoting recycling across America each November.
Why is Recycling Important?
According to available statistics, Recycling in America has increased significantly over the decades. In 1960 less than 7% of waste was recycled, compared to a 32% recycling rate today according to an EPA study.
The EPA also found that 94 million tons of municipal solid waste were recycled or composted in 2018 alone. Recycling activities contributed $37.8 billion in wages and 681,000 jobs that year.
Environmental Benefits of Recycling
Recycling is a total game-changer for the environment. By turning used materials into new products, we can massively cut down on waste, pollution, and disruption of natural habitats.
When we recycle paper, plastic, metals, and glass, it means fewer new trees being chopped down, fewer ugly mining operations scarring the landscape, and fewer pristine wilderness areas being destroyed. Recycling prevents millions of tons of waste from rotting away in landfills, releasing harmful greenhouse gases like methane. It’s a feel-good way to show some love to Mother Nature on America Recycles Day 2023.
Protecting ecosystems ensures wild animals can thrive. And by limiting our appetite for new raw materials, we reduce the pollution of air, soil, and water. By recycling right, we can all help build a cleaner, greener future.
Economic Benefits of Recycling
Recycling offers some sweet incentives beyond helping the environment. Turning used materials into new products creates jobs up and down the supply chain. It cuts costs by reducing the waste cities send to crowded landfills. And it creates economic security by tapping into abundant domestic sources of scrap materials.
On America Recycles Day 2023, why not raise a glass to the over 680,000 workers employed in the recycling industry? Their work saves energy and valuable resources. Aluminum made from recycled cans uses 95% less energy than producing new metal. That efficiency saves manufacturers millions. Recycling also saves taxpayers money by diverting waste from expensive landfills and incinerators.
So next time you toss a plastic bottle in the bin, give yourself a pat on the back for supporting American jobs and communities.
The State of Recycling in America
Though it started small scale, recycling has grown by leaps and bounds over the decades thanks to everyday citizens committed to sustainability. Back in 1960, a measly 7% of waste generated got recycled. Fast forward to today, and the national recycling rate is around 32% according to EPA data.
On America Recycles Day 2023, we should celebrate how far we’ve come. In 2018 alone, over 69 million tons of municipal waste was recycled rather than tossed in landfills. That’s as heavy as over 1 trillion average-sized male African elephants!
Plus the EPA confirms recycling accounts for over 680,000 American jobs and $37 billion in wages annually. So pat yourself on the back for helping strengthen the economy and the environment just by recycling.
How You Can Make a Difference
Want to take recycling to the next level? We can all go beyond the basics to become sustainability superstars and protect our planet.
This America Recycles Day 2023, take stock of your daily habits. Can you reduce food waste with better meal planning and composting? Use reusable containers and bags instead of disposable versions? Seek out recycled goods and thrift store finds?
When you buy new items, choose eco-conscious companies using sustainable practices. And set an example in your community by teaching friends and neighbors insider tips for recycling right.
With some small but thoughtful changes, we can work collectively towards a greener tomorrow and build recycling habits that last far beyond November 15th.
Ways to Celebrate America Recycles Day 2023
This America Recycles Day 2023, it’s time to take sustainable living up a notch. Seek out local recycling events and workshops to get motivated and informed. Volunteer with organizations like Keep America Beautiful that organize community recycling efforts.
Support recycling education by making a donation to an environmental nonprofit. And be sure to reduce your own waste by reusing containers and shopping secondhand when you can. For stylish reusable options, explore sustainable brands like Marley’s Monsters and use these discount codes to pick up products that reduce single-use waste.
By spending this eco-friendly holiday focused on recycling and conservation, you can pick up new habits that make a difference year-round.
Finding Local Recycling Information
The ins and outs of recycling vary from place to place, so do your homework to recycle right on America Recycles Day 2023. Fortunately, getting the specifics for your area is simple.
Check your city, county, or collection company’s website, or call their recycling hotline to learn the local rules. Consult national databases like Earth911 to look up DC-area resources. And don’t forget social media – many programs are sharing recycling tips on platforms like Facebook and Nextdoor.
Once you track down the right resources, you’ll be on your way to becoming a recycling pro. Learn pick-up schedules, what’s accepted, and where to drop off materials. In no time, you’ll be crushing the recycling game all year long!
Proper Recycling Tips
Recycling right takes a little know-how. First, get the ground rules from your city or collection company’s website or handy printed guides. Make sure you know what’s accepted in local programs – not all plastics and materials can be recycled.
Before tossing items in the bin, take a sec to rinse or clean them and flatten boxes and cartons so they take up less space. Only add loose recyclables, no plastic bags! Those can tangle up the sorting equipment.
Check plastic codes and opt for items labeled #1, #2, and #5. Steer clear of anything unlabeled to be safe. When in doubt about an oddball item, do some quick research or call your local recycling department. They want to help you ace recycling on America Recycles Day 2023 and beyond.
America Recycles Day 2023: Working Towards a Sustainable Future
America Recycles Day provides a chance to reflect on our recycling habits and make improvements. However, achieving a sustainable future requires year-round commitment from individuals, organizations, and governments.
More than just a day for celebration, America Recycles Day represents a chance to cultivate lasting change. With recycled materials fueling jobs and the economy, and sustainable practices preserving ecosystems, our actions today build the world of tomorrow.
There is still progress to be made – more habits to transform, individuals to engage, and leaders to inspire. But by working collectively towards a shared goal of responsible stewardship, we inch closer to a future defined by renewal rather than waste. Our children will one day reap the rewards seeded by our efforts.
