What is America Recycles Day?
America Recycles Day is a national holiday dedicated to celebrating recycling in the United States. As recycling became more popular during the ’80s and ’90s, people began to recognize its importance. The first nationally recognized America Recycles Day was on November 15, 1997. Twenty-four years later, our message is the same: buy recycled products and recycle more.
Why is Recycling Important?
Recycling has come along way since it began in the United States in the 1960s. According to the EPA, the recycling rate in the ‘60s was under 7 percent. The current rate of recycling in the United States is 32 percent. We have made big strides in our recycling efforts, but we still have work to do. Around 70 percent of all waste could be recycled. That means that over half of what could be recycled is still being sent to the landfill.
We need to increase the rate of recycling in the United States. This is important because recycling provides many social, environmental, and economic benefits to our society! Here’s a list to name a few:
- Reduces the amount of waste being sent to landfills and incinerators
- Conserves natural resources
- Prevents pollution caused by raw material extraction
- Saves energy
- Creates new jobs in the United States
- Supports manufacturing in the United States
How Can You Celebrate America Recycles Day?
- Spread the Word: America Recycles Day is a great conversation starter with friends and family. Spread the word about the benefits of recycling. Encourage people in your life to reduce the amount of waste they make.
- Reflect and Learn: Consider ways you can lower the amount of waste you produce. Learn how you can make a bigger impact by practicing the 3Rs: reducing, reusing, and recycling. Recycling is important but reducing and reusing can also make a big difference. Make sure you are recycling right and not contaminating your recycling bins. Look on the website of the city government, business, or organization that handles your recycling for guidelines.
- Buy Recycled: Be mindful when making purchases. Try to buy items that are made from recycled materials when possible. This helps support recycling markets!
- Support the M.E.T.: At the M.E.T., we have been promoting and supporting recycling activities in Northeastern Oklahoma for over 30 years. We are dedicated to providing communities with opportunities to recycle and educating people on how to make environmentally friendly choices. Celebrate America Recycles Day by supporting recycling efforts in Oklahoma by donating to the Friends of the M.E.T.!
Thank you for celebrating America Recycles Day and being mindful of how you can reduce your waste every day. Your efforts are making a difference, and we can make a huge impact when we do it together!