America Recycles Day is November 15th

October 29, 2024

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As recycling has become embedded in daily life, we celebrate the progress and efforts on  America Recycles Day (ARD), a nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting recycling.

Does a pizza box go in the recycling bin or trash? What about a milk carton? Plastic bags? These are common recycling questions we receive, and fortunately, there is an online tool available to provide answers. As recycling has become embedded in daily life, we celebrate the progress and efforts on America Recycles Day (ARD), a nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting recycling. On November 15th, people around the country take a pledge to waste less, recycle more, and encourage others to join in. You can do your part by embracing the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Reduce by buying less, buying used goods, and purchasing products with less packaging. Many manufacturers attempt to attract consumers with fancy packaging for their products. Most of it ends up in landfills. Be a conscious consumer and consider buying products that use less packaging or packaging that is recyclable.

Much of our household waste is comprised of food we throw out. Reduce food waste by meal planning before you go shopping. Buy only those things on your menu. Find out how to  store fruits and vegetables so they stay fresh longer inside or outside your refrigerator. Freeze, preserve, or can surplus fruits and vegetables. If you must throw away food scraps, place them in your organics waste (green) bin for Athens Services to collect and dispose of in a commercial compost facility, turning your food waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Reuse of materials conserves energy, resources, and landfill space. One easy way to immediately reduce your consumption of disposable plastic is to remember to use reusable bags when you go shopping. Eating utensils, disposable drink cups, and other throwaway items create a lot of waste. Instead, use reusable metal or bamboo utensils, coffee mugs, water bottles,and washable lunch containers. Single-use disposables are harmful to our environment for a number of reasons, and the distribution and use of polystyrene is banned in the City. (Polystyrene products are labeled as plastic #6 (in the chasing arrows symbol) and include both rigid polystyrene materials that are used to make disposable cutlery, clamshell food containers and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) products including foam cups, plates, clamshell food containers as well as items like body boards and ice chests.)

Before you spend hundreds of dollars on new equipment or on clothes your child will outgrow in a few months, consider shopping at a thrift store or consignment shop to save big and help the environment in the process. Many of these shops also support great local causes. Some locations may have donation limitations, so we recommend calling in advance for the latest guidelines and hours. Before starting on that next DIY project, don’t forget to try Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, where you can find previously owned and gently used furniture and building materials.

One of the biggest barriers to recycling  is knowing what items can (and cannot) be recycled. With all the changes in the recycling industry over the years, it can be confusing. To learn more about disposal and recycling options, check out the Athens Services “What Goes Where?” recycling guide, where you can type in an item and find out how to properly recycle or dispose of it. And remember, recyclables should be put in your recycling container clean and unbagged.

If you’re active on social media, don’t forget to use the hashtag #AmericaRecyclesDay to help spread the word.

For more information about America Recycles Day click here