Since the 1960s, the United States has vastly improved efforts to recycle more. Recycling doesn’t just save space in landfills. Among many other benefits, it also saves energy, eliminates the demand for virgin materials, and reduces ocean pollution. But although we’ve made significant strides in the fight against waste, we still have a great distance to go.
The good news is that each of us can do our part to help, starting with today: America Recycles Day.
A Greener, Cleaner World
In 1997, the National Recycling Coalition established November 15 as America Recycles Day. This is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. As to why we should all care, the numbers speak for themselves:
- In 2017, 267.8 million tons of waste were generated in the United States. Only 94.2 million tons of that amount were recycled or composted.
- Containers and packaging made up 29.9% of that waste — more than 80 million tons.
- Durable goods (products that don’t need to be purchased often) made up 21%, and nondurable goods (products that require frequent purchasing) made up 19%.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
Now, each year, we celebrate all things recycling: how to do so properly, how to commit to it, and how to take the #BeRecycled pledge. This pledge is built on three things all of us can do:
- Learn what materials are collected for recycling in your community.
- Act within the next month to reduce your waste, recycle more, and buy products made with recycled content.
- Encourage at least one friend or family member to take the pledge, too.
From small everyday habits to large lifestyle changes, everyone can do something to make the world a tidier place.
Sustainability at Stuller
Stuller takes sustainability, ethics, and transparency seriously. You can read more in-depth about our efforts on the Stuller website.
From the recycled precious metals we offer you to the batteries and bulbs used in our daily operations, recycling is a priority at our corporate headquarters.
One change we made was installing water refilling stations for associates. We did this because more than 60 million plastic water bottles flood American waterways and landfills.* And that’s not each year. That’s each day!
Watch the video below to see the other things we do to uphold our commitment to ethical sourcing and environmental sustainability.
What You Can Do
The easiest way to observe America Recycles Day is to be mindful of what you throw away and to commit to recycling more. Here are some low-effort ways you can get started:
- Take the Keep America Beautiful #BeRecycled pledge, then spread awareness on social media with #AmericaRecyclesDay.
- Learn what is and isn’t recyclable. The EPA has a list that outlines common recyclables.
- Educate your customers about recycling old jewelry and how they can reuse stones and metal in a new piece.
- Donate unwanted clothing and household textiles.
- Bring your own bag to the store, or decline a bag if you can.
- Take part in a recycling event or community cleanup in your area.
- Buy recycled goods when you can.
Whether you’re at home or at work, you can do your part to reduce, reuse, and recycle — and to leave the future a little greener for future generations.
*Down the Drain: Plastic Water Bottles Should No Longer Be a Wasted Resource
Learn more about Stuller’s commitment to sustainability in a blog we published earlier this year on Earth Day.
