November 15 is the official America Recycles Day. Ideally, we’re all doing what we can to reduce waste everyday, but it’s nice to have this annual reminder to reevaluate our habits and identify what we can do differently.
As a conscientious citizen, you are probably doing things like:
- Using reusable bags when you shop
- Recycling newspaper, cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminum products
- Conserving water by running full loads of dishes and laundry and by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth or shave
- Donating items you no longer need to charitable organizations
- Minimizing your use of disposable plates, utensils, and cups
- Avoid purchasing styrofoam because it doesn’t break down well
- Use a refillable water bottle instead of purchasing bottled water
Depending on how strongly you feel about protecting the environment, you may even:
- Use cloth diapers
- Support less packaging by
- Buying in bulk
- Buying concentrated liquids
- Use rechargeable batteries
- Use cloth napkins
- Use washable (and thus, reusable) cotton kitchen towels instead of paper towels
Some things I’m going to implement in honor of America Recycles Day are:
- Place a recycle bin next to the wastebaskets in all of my bathrooms
- Keep a bag for recyclables in my car in addition to the trash bag
- Reduce junk mail by opting out of prescreened offers and signing up for the do not call registry (for details visit the FTC’s Consumer Information page), and also by unsubscribing to catalogs via CatalogChoice.org
- Invest in more reusable lunch containers to reduce the use of plastic baggies
- Give gifts of services (e.g. spa certificate or movie tickets) instead of products
- Toss my eggshells and coffee grounds in the garden rather than in the garbage (or more frequently, the garbage disposal)
- Make a stop at the local recycling station part of my regular routine (on my way to the grocery store each week)
- Check the America Recycles Day website for sites that accept items that are difficult to recycle
Do you have any recycling tips or advice? Please share them in the comments if you do.
We are all about recycling when we can. I am glad that others do so as well. It truly does make such a difference.
I need to recycle more. I really need to make an effort. It’s great there’s an America Recycles Day to serve as a reminder.
I had no idea it was America recycles day. We try to recycle but there is still more I could be doing.
I didn’t know there a was a national day for recycling. I wish our city offered curb side recycling it would make things easier. I do donate all of my plastic bags to the local daycare so that they can send home soiled clothing.
We try to recycle whenever possible!! We also give away scrap material that we dont use to friends and family and they do the same for us. Perfect for upcoming projects.
Hi Corinne – I love all of these ideas – most are super simple to implement! I always take reusable bags to the commissary when I shop and what few plastic bags we do get, we reuse them when needed. I even have painted “Recycle” on the cabinet where recycling goes so everyone knows it’s there. Hugs, Holly
I didn’t know this day existed either. I am aware of Earth Day in April. I recycle everything. Los Angeles makes it pretty easy for you to do so. I also follow many of the tips on this post. Not all but most. Thanks for the post and bringing awareness to recycling.
I never realized there was a national day for recycling! The funny thing is it falls on my sisters bday! ha ha. I do many of the things that you suggested above but I just can’t do the cloth diaper thing!
We try to reduce, reuse and recycle any way we can. I keep cloth shopping bags n my car so I have then whenever I run to the store. If I somehow end up with a plastic shopping bag, we use it as a trash bag in one of the waste cans.