America Recycles Day and Thousand Oaks Recycling All Stars

As recycling has become part of our daily lives, it’s worth taking a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come and how we can continue to make a difference. Every year on November 15th, people across the country celebrate America Recycles Day (ARD), a nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting recycling and waste reduction. On this day, individuals take a pledge to waste less, recycle more, and inspire others to join in.

We invite you to celebrate ARD by embracing the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Reduce

You can reduce waste by simply buying less, purchasing used goods, and choosing products with minimal or recyclable packaging. Many companies use flashy or excessive packaging to grab attention, but most of the packaging ends up in the landfill. Be a conscious consumer and look for items with less packaging or made with recyclable materials.

Approximately 30% of all food in the U.S. goes uneaten and is disposed. To reduce food waste, plan your meals before shopping and buy only what you need. Learn how to store fruits and vegetables so they stay fresh longer, and freeze or preserve extra produce instead of letting it spoil.

If you have food scraps, don’t toss them in the trash; put them in your organics (green) bin. The City’s waste hauler, Athens Services, collects and delivers this material to a commercial composting facility, where it’s turned into a nutrient-rich soil amendment instead of generating methane in a landfill.

Avoid products packaged or made with polystyrene or expanded polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam). The use and distribution of polystyrene (plastic #6, found in foam cups, plates, and takeout clamshells) is prohibited in Thousand Oaks. Polystyrene is harmful to the environment and cannot be recycled through regular programs.

Reuse

Reusing items conserves energy, natural resources, and landfill space. One of the simplest ways to make a difference is by using reusable bags when you shop. Disposable items like plastic utensils, coffee cups, and single-use containers create a lot of unnecessary waste. Instead, choose reusable mugs, water bottles, utensils, and lunch containers that you can wash and use again.

Before buying new clothes, furniture, or equipment, consider shopping for secondhand items. Shopping secondhand helps keep usable items out of landfills. Thrift and consignment stores offer great deals while supporting local charities and reducing waste.

If you’re working on a DIY home project, check out Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore to find gently used furniture, appliances, and building materials at affordable prices.

Recycle

Once you’ve reduced and reused what you can, make sure what’s left goes into the right bin: the recycling bin. Proper sorting helps ensure recyclable materials like plastics, cardboard, paper, and aluminum containers actually get recycled, and that organics (food scraps and landscape trimmings) become compost instead of being disposed as trash.

Not sure what goes in the recycling bin? For quick answers about what’s recyclable, visit Athens Services’ “What Goes Where?” recycling search tool to find out exactly how to recycle and dispose of everyday items the right way.

2025 Recycling All Stars

In honor of America Recycles Day, the City of Thousand Oaks and Athens Services are proud to recognize our 2025 Recycling All Stars. These local businesses and organizations have gone above and beyond to promote recycling and sustainability.

These honorees have demonstrated leadership by:

1. Maintaining all three waste streams (trash, recycling, and organics) onsite and grouped together
2. Using clear, consistent signage on all containers
3. Providing annual staff or tenant training
4. Participating in waste assessments with Athens Services’ outreach and education team

Here are this year’s honorees:

Bridges Charter School – Bridges Charter School has made environmental education a cornerstone of learning. Their Bridges Trash Sorting Program teaches students proper sorting habits, and their school garden provides hands-on lessons in composting and sustainability.

Pickles Deli – Pickles Deli has taken major steps to comply with SB 1383, California’s organics recycling law. They redesigned their kitchen to support proper sorting, partnered with Athens for staff training, and are committed to holding annual refreshers to keep sustainability practices consistent.

Lakeview 112 (Lakeview Innovation Center) – Lakeview 112 shows outstanding leadership in sustainability education. Their proactive tenant engagement includes waste-sorting training and regular participation in community sustainability fairs, especially during Earth Month.

SAGE Publications – SAGE continues to lead the way in waste reduction and compliance. They regularly host “Let’s Talk Trash” presentations and staff trainings, ensuring everyone understands recycling and organics requirements. Their thoughtfully designed bin setups make participation easy and effective.

These organizations are shining examples of what’s possible when our community works together to reduce waste, protect the environment, and meet sustainability goals.

Do Your Part This America Recycles Day

Every action counts! Whether you’re sorting recyclables, using a reusable coffee cup, or preventing food waste, this America Recycles Day, let’s celebrate our community’s progress and keep the momentum going.

By pledging to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, Thousand Oaks residents can continue leading the way toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future. Together, we can keep our community beautiful for generations to come.