America Recycles Day (ARD) is today, November 15; it is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling. Although this is a step in the right direction, we need ARD to be every day.
The average American throws away 1,600 pounds of trash each year. That’s 4.4 pounds daily! Recycling is actually the easiest way to address some of our environmental issues. In addition to conserving natural resources and reducing energy usage to make new products, recycling can help fight global climate change. By diverting materials away from the waste disposal systems like landfills and incinerators, you help reduce pollution and greenhouse gases that are released in the process.
In addition to the environmental benefits of recycling, it pays in many other ways. Here are just a few ways that recycling can give back to you, your family, and even your wallet:
• Turn electronic trash into cash. 70 percent of the toxic waste in landfills comes from electronics; but you can actually recycle old electronics for cash and avoid additional strain on the planet. Sites like www.gazelle.com or www.YouReNew.com will pay you for laptops, cell phones, chargers and other items. Your older model iPhone could be worth upwards of $200, but even older electronics have value.
• Make it a family activity: Post a recycling diagram on your refrigerator so your entire family knows what belongs in the recycling, trash and compost bins, and assign the job of “Recycle Cop” to your kids. They can make sure that all paper products (like old homework!), glass, hard plastics, cans, even plastic toys make it in the right place.
• Make your own fertilizer: It takes 18 years for one corn cob to decompose in a landfill, but only a couple of months in a compost pile! Create a compost pile in your backyard, or get a green bin from your local garbage man if you don’t have one already. The backyard compost pile is a great activity for the whole family – once it turns to soil, kids can help plant a garden. You can actually save hundreds of dollars a year by growing your own veggies. Here is some info on how to get started.
• Inspire: NatureBridge is a non-profit focused on connecting youth to the natural world and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards through environmental education. We just launched www.MyGarbology.org, a website for all ages that can be used in and out of the classroom to teach kids how to reduce waste and be more aware of their impact on the environment. It is a fun tool for teachers and parents to get kids involved in sustainable actions such as recycling, composting, reducing toxins and saving water.
• Get rewarded: Recyclebank rewards people for taking everyday green actions, including increasing your household recycling. Go to www.Recyclebank.com to see if they are in your town, or look for other ways you can “do well by doing good” on their website. An average Recyclebank member can save over $130 a year through discounts, coupons and deals in their rewards program.
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest