America Recycles Day November 15, 2010

Yes, I know, this post is supposed to sum up week 7 of my Sabbath Experiment. But let me tell you, today the subject of recycling is much more important.

As it turns out, Mondays are the day our recycling is picked up in our neighborhood, so I can honestly say we are taking part in America Recycles Day with a very full recycling bin sitting at the edge of our driveway ready for pickup. And I must admit, that feels really good.

Starting in 1997, November 15th is set aside as America Recycles Day -- the only nationally recognized day of its kind. Why ARD? To let people know about recycling; to educate them. To involve community leaders, who may otherwise be lax in their attitude toward recycling. To encourage fuller recycling bins and emptier trash cans.

Recycling matters. That's all there is to it, folks. It matters.

According to Waste Management World, "In 2008, the energy saved by recycling aluminum, plastic PET, glass containers, newsprint and corrugated packaging was equivalent to the amount of gasoline used in nearly 11 million passenger cars in one year; nearly eight percent of electricity generated by fossil fuels in the U.S. in one year; the amount of electricity consumed by over 17 million Americans in one year."

It matters.

I like this comment by Rob Wallace, vice president of Keep America Beautiful, Inc.:

"The whole intent of Recycles Day is to draw attention to recycling as a behavior and as an act, but also as a movement, as something that people are doing and can feel good about."
 
Is your community participating in Amercia Recycles Day? If so, I would love for you to leave a comment telling us about it.
 

Also, I would appreciate it if you would sign the pledge to recycle.
 
The third thing I would ask you to do is to thank one or more of the sponsors of this year's America Recycles Day and support them in their effort to make a difference for the world our children and grandchildren are going to inherit from us.
 
If you have a Disney Store in a mall close to you, drop off a t-shirt today and they will give you a store discount. The t-shirt will be recycled and made into paper. How cool is that?
 
 

 
 

This is an important date in the calendar year. Recognize it. Use it as an excuse to share your own thoughts on living a greener life with with your friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors. Maybe by this time next year, you will be seeing more and more overflowing recycling bins on your street on trash day, instead of filled-to-the-brim trash cans. And let me tell you...that would matter!

Keeping it green through recycling,

Hana