America Recycles Day is today, November 15, and thousands of Americans are being reminded about the importance of recycling.
World Recycling Day is celebrated on July 8 in various countries around the world, but America has its own day dedicated to recycling. America Recycles Day (ARD) is a Keep America Beautiful (KAB) initiative which is the only national platform for community-driven recycling awareness, education and collection events. The goal of this day is to raise awareness about recycling so that the country can continue to be beautiful and clean.
According to a national survey, a majority of Americans don't feel that they're doing enough for the environment. Only 37 percent said they felt like they were and only 46 percent said they're knowledgeable about what it takes to be eco-friendly in daily life. Two-thirds of Americans said they would like to learn some simple tips to help the planet.
Those who want to help can start taking to proper steps on ARD as there are thousands events going on around the country which are dedicated to recycling, such as electronics collection events and plastic bag and campaign sign recycling. To find an event near you, click here and enter your zip code.
Another thing Amercans can do is the take KAB's Recyling at Work pledge. This pledge requires businesses, governments and public buildings such as schools and hospitals, to commit to a 10 percent increase in the recycling of paper products, food waste, biodegradables, beverage containers, electronics and batteries in the workplace by 2015.
"The environmental impact from recycling remains critically important as a measure of sustainable economies and vibrant communities," said Matt McKenna, KAB president and chief executive officer in a release. "To increase our national municipal recycling rate from its current 34 percent level, the increase will come less from national initiatives and more from locally-driven efforts. Engaging individuals to take the action to recycle at home, at work and at play is the linchpin to increasing recycling rates."
Another way to participate is to purchase recycled products. Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council, which sponsors the Plastics Make it Possible® initiative, encourages people to purchase recycled products such as plastics.
"It's never been easier to recycle in America, especially the plastic bottles, caps and containers that we use every day," Russell said in a release. "And today there are lots of opportunities to close the recycling loop by purchasing products made with recycled materials, such as plastics."
"Recycling keeps valuable materials out of the landfill so they can become new products," Russell continued "But the next step is just as important-by seeking out everyday products and holiday gifts made with recycled materials, consumers close the recycling loop and create demand for even more recycling."
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