November kicks off the start of the Holiday season! There is so much to be excited about and with Thanksgiving, time with family and lots of amazing food, it’s bound to be an amazing time of year! The chaos that has surrounded the world over the past two years has created huge obstacles for families around the world, so finally being able to get together is what we have all been patiently waiting for. But let’s not forget the sacrifices that have been made to bring us all these amazing experiences. America Recycles Day is the perfect reminder that even though the season of food, gifts and travel is in full swing, it’s important to take a step back and continue to be mindful of the world’s resources. Recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on November 15th, 2019, America Recycles day was created as an acknowledgement of the importance of recycling in the United States. It serves as a time for Americans to educate themselves about recycling and to reflect on how they use and dispose of the recyclable products they rely on in their everyday lives.
Propelled by the world’s concern for the environment, the increase in recycling rates over the past fifty years represent an incredible leap of progress. While the benefits of recycling may seem obvious, there are more opportunities that come with the implementation of recycling programs than one might think. According to the EPA, reuse and recycle activities account for about 681,000 jobs in the United States. That’s a lot of money in wages that Americans can then use for their family and to contribute to their community. While also creating the opportunity to bring innovative minds together to brainstorm solutions to the world’s most outstanding environmental obstacles. The technological advancements that have been achieved in recent years with intentions of creating a more efficient and green energy industry are monumental, and have held the door open for up and coming industry professionals to continue on the same path. The new generation of students heading into the workforce will now have the unique opportunity to combine their passion, whether it be in the arts, STEM, or anything else with sustainable practices like never before. What better way to start on this journey than a fun and effective recycling project?
The environment will always be grateful if you lend a hand, with the increasing amounts of plastic products being distributed around the world each year, being able to repurpose and reuse some of these items can make a huge difference. However, not everyone understands how the process surrounding the recycling system works. For example, have you ever taken a nice lunch break in the park then found yourself standing in front of three colorful trash cans with different symbols? Many of us have and in these situations most of us throw everything into one random bin or make a guess. What many people fail to realize when doing this is the hassle it creates for recycling companies down the line. Understanding how to recycle correctly is an essential component of the recycling process.
Good intentions can sometimes lead to materials damaging the equipment at recycling facilities, which can slow down the process and make it more difficult for recycling companies to do their job. For this reason, it is essential that you do your research to find out what can and cannot be recycled at your local recycling facility. Any items that are usually excluded from recycling facilities such as computer devices, holiday lights or electric cords can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way as well, just look into your local electronic stores recycling program and check out the Watt Watcher’s Disposing and Recycling E-Waste activity to learn more.
Thankfully, we have some great resources that can be useful for when you find yourself in these situations. Watt Watchers of Texas is an excellent source of information when it comes to all things recycling. With the primary goal of helping schools and homes save money by saving energy, you can rely on them to provide exciting sustainability activities. Among these amazing activities is, About Recycling, an activity that you can use to educate yourself and your children about all things recycling. Additionally, check out Hunt for Recycling, where you can take action to reduce the waste that ends up in landfills.
America Recycles day represents a step in the right direction towards a more sustainable future. Lets keep the ball rolling by taking action and striving to make a difference every day. This Thanksgiving, as you sit around the dinner table with your family, take some time to reflect on the energy it took to bring everyone together and to produce everyone’s amazing platters. Take some time to think about what you could do to save a little energy, do a little recycling and lend a hand to the environment during such a high energy resource time of the year.
