They’re doing it in Europe. They’re doing it in Asia (Reusable Bag Day). And, they’re doing it in America.
The 13th Annual America Recycles Day is on November 15. This is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging people to recycle and buy recycled products. Last year, America Recycles Day featured 750 registered organizations conducting 2,375 events!
Why is this day so important? The amount of energy saved from recycling aluminum and steel cans, plastic PET and glass containers, newsprint and corrugated packaging in 2008 alone was equivalent to:
* The amount of electricity consumed by 17.8 million Americans in one year
* The amount of gasoline used in almost 11 million passenger automobiles in one year
* 7.9 percent of electricity generation from fossil fuels in the U.S. in one year
On Nov. 15, thousands of people across the U.S. will participate in local events to promote recycling. Additionally, leading companies and organizations are supporting America Recycles Day this year. Along with financial and in-kind support, many are planning creative programs throughout the country. Here are a few ways that you can get involved with some of the sponsors for the day:
- Friends for Change will be encouraging kids to recycle and participate in America Recycles Day with special messages on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Radio Disney and Disney.com. Also, Disney Stores will be collecting t-shirts to be recycled and turned into paper. Bring in a t-shirt to a Disney Store location between Nov. 11 and 15 and receive a special discount
- PepsiCo is launching the Bottle Promise Facebook application, which challenges fans to digitally experience the Dream Machine and make their Bottle Promise. The application allows users to personally design a virtual bottle and pass it along to friends as an invitation to commit to recycling. Participants who generate the most Bottle Promises by passing their bottle to the most friends, will earn points redeemable for prizes on Greenopolis.com.
- Waste Management will be hosting a series of events to celebrate America Recycles Day, including open houses at some of their recycling centers.
- The American Chemistry Council will be on morning news shows across the country on America Recycles Day, working to promote plastics recycling at home and demonstrating how plastics go on to become new products.
- Change your Facebook and Twitter icons to the America Recycles Day logo on Nov. 15 to show your support.
- Use your printed reusable grocery bags whenever you shop—and not just at the grocery store. Heading to the mall for holiday shopping? Bring your favorite reusable shopping bags and skip the paper or plastic store bags at checkout.
- Take the America Recycles Day pledge, which addresses getting in-the-know about what can be recycled in your area, recycling at school or work, focusing on recycling e-waste and spreading the word.
