America Recycles Day
On Nov. 15, organizations, businesses and schools around Arkansas will participate in America Recycles Day, a national event aimed at educating Americans about the importance of recycling.
Americans generate about 250 million tons of trash each year. In Arkansas, the Department of Energy and Environment reports that Arkansans generated nearly 6 million tons of trash in 2012 with about 3.5 million tons sent to landfills and about 2.5 million tons recycled. That’s compared with 3.5 million tons disposed in 2011 and 1.6 million tons recycled.
Everyone can find easy ways to participate in recycling such as Recycling @ Work and Recycle-Bowl, sponsored by Keep America Beautiful.
In the Recycling @ Work program, businesses pledge to engage in recycling activities that result in saving energy, reducing emissions, cutting the amount of trash that goes to landfills, conserving natural resources and generating jobs. Businesses, government agencies, hospitals, schools and other institutions that take the Recycling @ Work pledge can take advantage of special discounts on recycling bins.
Recycle-Bowl is a nationwide recycling competition for elementary, middle and high school students that culminates on America Recycles Day. Each year, more than 20 Arkansas schools participate in Recycle-Bowl. For a list of schools participating or to find out how to sign up for the next Recycle-Bowl, visit recycle-bowl.org.