“I Recycle” is the theme of the 2010 America Recycles Day (ARD), which takes place on November 15. Millions of Americans have pledged to increase their recycling habits at home and at work over the 13-year history of ARD, a nationally-recognized initiative dedicated to encouraging people to recycle more at home, at work, and on the go.
National nonprofit Keep America Beautiful is proud to lead the celebration, providing resources and supporting the activities of over 1,500 grassroots event organizers across the country.
“Recycling is the easiest thing that any individual can do to reduce his or her carbon footprint, save energy and protect natural resources,” said Matthew M. McKenna, president & CEO of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. “While we celebrate the power of recycling on this special day, it’s something we should all make a conscious effort to do every day of the year.”
“On America Recycles Day, EPA encourages all Americans to consider their role in creating a healthy environment by being responsible consumers. By making smarter choices, consuming less, and reusing and recycling, each of us can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable environment,” said Mathy Stanislaus, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
More than 2,000 events have been registered in 2010 ranging from electronics recycling events and paper drives to contests and art exhibits. You can find events near you by visiting americarecyclesday.org, which features a search-by-zip code tool. Even if there’s not a formal event in your area, there are lots of ways to take part.
- Take the America Recycles Day Pledge and commit to recycling as often as possible. Spread the word and tell your friends.
- Download the America Recycles Day badge and show your support by featuring it as your Facebook avatar for the day.
- Find out what you can recycle in your community and where – you might be surprised at your options. Visit earth911.com and simply type in your zip code for the most comprehensive listing.
- Are you a recycling pro? Take it to the next level with the America Recycles Day Challenge.
- Join Disney’s Friends for Change and, on America Recycles Day, take an old t-shirt to a Disney store to be recycled and turned into paper.
- Download the Aluminate(TM) iPhone App to help boost your aluminum recycling efforts. Alcoa will donate $1 to Keep America Beautiful for every download!
- Get more recycling facts, tips and tools at americarecyclesday.org.
- Commit to recycle, and ask your friends to as well, by making a Dream Machine ‘Bottle Promise’ at www.facebook.com/DreamMachine.
Additionally, Keep America Beautiful is a proud partner of The Dream Machine recycling initiative, a multi-year collaboration between PepsiCo, Waste Management, and Greenopolis to make thousands of recycling bins and interactive kiosks available in popular public venues. As part of America Recycles Day 2010, Keep America Beautiful is proud to announce that affiliates in Oak Park, Ill., Manatee, Fla., and Mansfield, Mass. have committed to place more than 650 recycling bins in highly trafficked locations throughout each of their communities.
The amount of energy saved from recycling aluminum and steel cans, plastic PET and glass containers, newsprint and corrugated packaging in 2008 alone was equivalent to: (source Earth911.com)
- The amount of electricity consumed by 17.8 million Americans in one year
- The amount of gasoline used in almost 11 million passenger automobiles in one year
- 7.9 percent of electricity generation from fossil fuels in the U.S. in one year
America’s leading companies and organizations support recycling through sponsorships and partnerships with America Recycles Day 2010: Alcoa Foundation, American Chemistry Council, Anheuser-Busch, Earth911.com, Disney’s Friends for Change, Naked Juice, Nestle Waters North America, PepsiCo and Waste Management.
Recycling should become a “natural” habit, something we do without even thinking about it! It isn’t hard. Perhaps there could be more education on recycling: we often need to be reminded of simple things. Having more recycle bins at shops and sporting centers would help as well.
Good post, we need more of them. Thanks.