Educate Yourself and Others About Recycling
Our focus this week is on America Recycles Day, officially recognized on November 15th each year. The EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) chose this day to recognize the importance and impact of recycling, which has contributed to American prosperity and the protection of our environment.
The good news is that the recycling rate has increased from less than seven percent in 1960 to the current rate of 32 percent. An EPA study found that recycling and reuse activities in the United States accounted for 681,000 jobs and $37.8 billion in wages.
The not-so-good news is that much more work needs to be done! We need to educate ourselves and others to stay updated as the challenges of recycling continue to change, so that we know we’re having a positive impact, not a negative one.
Knowing exactly what you can recycle, and how, is determined by where you live in the Commonwealth. Different cities, towns, and counties offer services based on community needs and resources. The convenience of curb-side recycling, either provided by a municipality or offered as a subscription, is available in more populated areas. Convenience centers or transfer stations are used in more rural areas.
You can go to this page and enter your ZIP Code to learn more about what is available where you live for typical household recycling.
But what about batteries, electronics, automotive, or other items? Here’s a resource to check for a location in your area: Recycling Center Search – Earth911.com.
The more prepared we are and the more we learn, the more successful recycling will be. And speaking of learning, if you’re an educator, or anyone, looking for resources to teach on this topic, here are some links that may be helpful:
- The Quest for Less: Activities and Resources for Teaching K-8 provides hands-on lessons and activities, enrichment ideas, journal writing assignments, and other educational tools related to preventing and reusing waste.
- EPA’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) curriculum teaches English to adult students while introducing basic concepts about protecting our environment.
- As a Planet Protector, your mission is to improve the world around you by making less trash. You will also help other people learn to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Learn more on the Planet Protector resource page for teachers. (Grades K-5)
- Explore Recycle City to learn how its residents reduce waste, use less energy, and even save money by doing simple things at home, at work, and in their neighborhoods. (All ages)
Once we learn what we CAN do to tackle the challenges of recycling, we’re on the right path to make a difference.
If you’re ready to consider using more sustainable products that help you Reduce, Renew, Recycle, Renew, and Refuse, we’re giving away Sustainability Sampler Kits so that you can try out some simple swaps that make a difference.
Enter now to be included in the drawing to receive one of ten kits given away in November. We’ll send a sampler kit to you at no charge, asking that you try the items and answer a short 3-question poll to tell us what you think about the products!