Are you ready for America Recycles Day? Does recycling make a difference?
Sometimes I get discouraged when I recycle, try to live a ‘greener’ life and reduce my eco-impact. How can my efforts be significant compared to the context of the global community? I worry that I am deluding myself with ‘do-good’ deeds that, on the whole, are meaningless. Then I remember that a flood starts with one raindrop, a forest grows from one seed, a hurricane begins with the flutter of one butterfly wing. By extension, recycling starts with one can, one piece of cardboard, one bottle by one person and then another and another.
We all know that recycling saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. recycles about 33% of its waste, diverting it from solid waste landfills. If the recycling rate were to increase by a mere 10%, an additional 3.9 million tons of materials would be recycled, saving enough energy to:
- Heat 1.5 million American homes in a moderate climate for one year.
- Provide the required electricity to 1.8 million Americans for one year.
- Save Americans about $957 million in avoided costs for barrels of crude oil.
That’s you and me, individually and collectively. I’ll take that as a challenge for the upcoming year and increase my recycling rate by 10%.
About America Recycles Day:
America Recycles Day, November 15, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products. Celebrating its 10th year, it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials. Through America Recycles Day, the National Recycling Coalition supports local communities and raises awareness by educating citizens about the benefits of recycling. Volunteer America Recycles Day coordinators are positioned throughout the country and work to organize recycling awareness events in their schools and communities, and in conjunction with their local municipalities.
On the America Recycles Day website, you can use the Conversionator to calculate your recycling’s impact, take the Recycling Pledge or find a local recycling event.
Additional Information:
On Thursay, November 15, Susan Bodine, Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response, will discuss recycling and America Recycles Day, 2:00-3:00 ET as part of the Ask EPA program.
Related Posts:
- Repair Versus Replace
- Website Of The Day: RE Store for Used Building Materials
- Website of the day: Freecycle
- Buy Nothing Day
Enjoy this post? Get more like it. 
Subscribe in a reader or by Email.
