America Recycles Day 2012

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

Those three terms (or R³ as our grade school teachers said) have been engraved in our heads for what feels like ages. To some, it may remain just three little words or a unused concept. For the rest of us, it is a way of life both at home and at the office.

Here at Ecolink, we strive to recycle daily. Whether it’s paper or plastic, cardboard, packing materials, or even more tricky materials, if can be recycled then we recycle it. One of our core values is instill positive karma, where we unselfishly try to help others and the world around us. Recycling is only the tip of the positive karma iceberg for us.

Take the pledge at AmericaRecyclesDay.org to recycle! We did!

Whether you recycle a little or a lot (or not at all!), here are some interesting statistics that will hopefully get you thinking!

• Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. In spite of this, Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial fleet of airplanes every three months!
• Each ton of recycled paper saves 4,102 kilowatt hours of energy
• Every month Americans throw out enough glass bottles and jars to fill up a giant skyscraper (think: Empire State Building), but all of these jars are recyclable!
• About 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable, yet our recycling rate is just over 30%.
• Using recycled glass uses 40% less energy than making products from all new materials.

Not sure how to get started? We have comprised a list of 5 easy steps for you to get started with your own recycling program in your busy life!

1. Decide on what to recycle

It sounds too simple, but this is the most important step that everyone skips over. What do we use? Can we recycle this? (Different areas have different regulations on recyclables! Check to see what is approved near you!) A little is better than none at all (tear off half of the top of that pizza box instead of throwing it all away).

2. Find a vendor/recycling center near you

It is important to figure out what kind of products your recycling center or waste service providers accept. Do they do curbside pickup or do you have to drop it off? Do they have limits or restrictions on quantities?

3. Set up Recycling Bins

We suggest placing recycling bins near wherever you have a trash can to encourage recycling among your family and/or employees.

4. Reuse what you can

Rinse out zip lock bags, use refillable water bottles instead of plastic bottles, or rinse out glass jars and reuse them for salsas, jams, etc. The possibilities are endless!

5. Educate and maintain

Let your family/employees know the importance of recycling and where they should be putting the appropriate products. Make sure the the bins are emptied regularly to keep them from piling up!

By following those simple 5 steps, you will be on your way to kick starting your own recycling program in no time! Happy America Recycles Day!

We recycle. Do you?