Recycling: So Cool It Has Its Own Day!

Recycling continues to grow in popularity; at some point every day, odds are that you hear, see, or read about its importance. But to showcase the beauty of reusing resources and place it eternally in American folklore (at least for now), it has become its own nationally recognized day.

Sunday was the 12th annual America Recycles Day, which is dedicated to increasing awareness and encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products. Keep America Beautiful and the National Recycling Coalition helped educate communities about the benefits of recycling. (The U.S. recycles 33 percent of its waste, a rate that has almost doubled in 15 years!)

Are you getting lax with your recycling habits? Do you have friends that throw recyclables in the trash? ARD's website provides the ability to make an e-pledge to improve your recycling practices and spread the word.

If you missed celebrating the national recognition day, you still can have an impact tomorrow! Check out some of the Green Life’s recycling tips and stories about e-waste, conserving paper, swapping books, or buying clothes made of recycled products. New to recycling? Watch this eco-film about garbage to see just how much we throw out.

--Michael Mullaley