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Celebrating America Recycles Day: How You Can Make a Difference by Recycling

Patti Toews is a provider of sustainability and waste management solutions for APTIM’s local and state government clients. She focuses on new and existing regulatory challenges and issues.THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTOR:
Patti Toews, Sustainability & Waste Minimization Business Leader
APTIM | Environmental Compliance & Sustainability
Patti.Toews@APTIM.com
Patti Toews is a provider of sustainability and waste management solutions for APTIM’s local and state government clients. She focuses on new and existing regulatory challenges and issues. Learn more about Patti here.

 

 

Celebrating America Recycles Day: How You Can Make a Difference by Recycling

Each year on November 15, we celebrate America Recycles Day, a day dedicated to promoting recycling and, more importantly, encouraging everyone to reduce waste. America Recycles Day is a nationally recognized event that promotes recycling and encourages individuals to make recycling a habit in their daily lives. Since its inception in 1997, America Recycles Day has grown into a nationwide event, with local communities organizing educational programs, collection drives, and activities to engage citizens in sustainable practices.

Why Recycling Matters

Recycling is crucial for several reasons, and America Recycles Day serves as an annual reminder of its significance. Here are just a few reasons why recycling is so important:

  1. Reducing Waste in Landfills: Recycling plays a vital role in diverting millions of tons of valuable materials from landfills each year. By recycling items like paper, plastic, metal, and glass, you help reduce environmental contamination, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create cleaner, healthier communities.
  2. Conserving Natural Resources: Many of the materials we use daily, such as aluminum, paper, and plastic, come from finite natural resources. Recycling allows us to reuse these materials instead of extracting new raw resources, which reduces environmental damage and helps conserve ecosystems that are threatened by over-exploitation.
  3. Reducing Energy Consumption and Emissions: Recycling often requires less energy than producing new materials from raw resources. For example, recycling aluminum saves up to 95% of the energy required to produce new aluminum from bauxite ore. Lower energy consumption means fewer carbon emissions, which helps combat climate change and reduces our collective carbon footprint.
  4. Creating Jobs and Boosting the Economy: The recycling industry is a significant economic driver. In the US alone, the recycling sector supports over 500,000 jobs. These jobs span everything from material collection and sorting to the manufacturing of new products contributing the economy.

How to Play Your Part in Recycling

America Recycles Day is not just about celebrating recycling for one day—it’s about making recycling an ongoing commitment and an integral part of our everyday lives. You can make a difference by taking simple steps to create a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.

  1. Commit to Recycling More at Home: The first step is to make recycling a habit, starting at the point of purchase (whether in the grocery store or online). Look for products with recyclable packaging or minimal packaging. Check with your local recycling program to learn which materials are accepted in your area. Simple changes, like properly sorting your waste, can significantly increase the amount of recyclables that are returned to the supply chain for reuse.
  2. Participate in Local America Recycles Day Events: Many cities and towns hold special events on America Recycles Day, such as recycling drives, cleanup events, or educational workshops. Participating in these activities is a great way to show your support for recycling and connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about sustainability.
  3. Be Mindful of What You Buy: The concept of recycling goes hand in hand with reducing and reusing. One of the best ways to minimize waste is by being mindful of your consumption habits. Choose products with less packaging, or packaging made from recyclable materials. Opt for reusable items like water bottles, bags, and containers instead of single-use plastics.
  4. Support Companies that Prioritize Sustainability: More and more companies are embracing sustainable practices, from eco-friendly packaging to recycling programs. Support businesses that are committed to reducing their environmental footprint by choosing products from companies with strong sustainability initiatives.

Partner With APTIM to Meet Your Recycling Goals

At APTIM, we pride ourselves on our innovative recycling initiatives that are designed to significantly reduce waste and drive positive environmental impact. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and robust recycling programs, we are committed to enhancing recycling efficiency and supporting communities in creating a more sustainable future. Our comprehensive solutions help achieve your sustainability goals by optimizing waste management processes and promoting circular economy practices. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, we not only advance waste reduction efforts but also empower your organization to make environmentally conscious choices that benefit both the planet and your bottom line. Contact me today to learn how APTIM can support you.

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