Plan It for the Planet! November 15th
America Recycles Day
From: Robin Blackstone, ENN.comEDITOR’S NOTE: given Charlestown’s last-place finish among Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns for recycling, maybe we need to take this kind of gimmicky approach seriously and start recycling at more acceptable rates.
So maybe America
Recycles Day isn't as well-known as Thanksgiving, New Year’s or the Fourth of
July, but it is potentially becoming equally as significant for our planet's
future! While our national recycling rate has increased each year for the
past 30 years there is still great opportunity for recycling. America
Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day and
community-driven awareness event dedicated to promoting and celebrating
recycling in the U.S.
Consider these facts:
- The Average American
produces 4.4 pounds of trash each day.
- The United States
produces over 250 million tons of trash each year!
- Our current rate of
recycling is 34.7%.
America Recycles Day
planners have established an organizational system to encourage communities to
create recycling events to promote additional recycling to minimize additional
trash in our landfills.
Events will focus on recycling strategies for all kinds
of waste products including cans, plastics, batteries and paper to name a few.
Events further educate and promote the active participation in recycling
individually and corporately.
The strategies below
highlight some recycling opportunities we have to participate. Each of these
can be done individually or collectively as part of a community service
project. While November 15th is the recognized day for
education and outreach it is hoped that education and awareness generated will
inspire greater recycling within each person’s home and community.
- Sign the America
Recycles Day pledge and spread the word
- Reduce your
consumption
- Re-use and repair what
you have
- Share, swap or rent
- Sign up for curbside
recycling or use the recycling program more aggressively
- If your community does
not offer a recycling program then click on this link to find a recycling
center near you. IWantToBeRecycled.orgIWantToBeRecycled.org
- Repurpose or
up-cycle
Repurposing and up-cycling
comprise of activities that anyone of any age can do with a little planning.
Below are some links to provide that creative inspiration:
Each of the strategies
above highlights our individual opportunity to participate and or improve our
present level of recycling.
Read more at Care 2.com and America
Recycles Day.
Boy recycling image via Shutterstock, America
Recycles Day image via AmericaRecyclesDay.org