In honor of the day, here are 10 ways people can boost the amount of materials they and their family recycle:
- Compost food and yard debris. Suggestions on how to construct and maintain your own bin are on the DNR website.
- Remember to reuse. If you have clothing, furniture or other household items you no longer use, consider donating them to a local nonprofit or resale store.
- Take time to reacquaint yourself with your community's recycling program. Many communities have expanded the number of materials they collect and simplified the process for you to recycle. See [www.recyclemorewisconsin.org] for a list of recyclables in your community.
- Recycle your electronics. E-Cycle Wisconsin, a new program run through the DNR, is making it easier to recycle electronics like TVs, computers, computer accessories.
- In addition to standard recyclables, find out what other products your recycling program accepts. Many communities have programs to recycle prescription pills, electronics, and other household hazardous wastes.
- In places you visit frequently—grocery store, workplace, gas station and others—ask whether they accept recycling. If not, ask them to put out a recycling bin for customer and employee use.
- Recycle construction and demolition debris. Several businesses across the state recycle or reuse shingles, construction lumber, lighting fixtures, drywall, concrete, glass and other construction materials.
- Talk to your kids about ways they can recycle at home and at school. Ideas on simple activities to teach kids about recycling can be found on the Wee Recyclers page of the DNR's EEK! Environmental Education for Kids website.
- Find businesses in your community that accept materials your local recycling program may not. The Wisconsin Recycling Markets Directory allows you to search by material to find recyclers in your community.
- Be a thoughtful shopper. Look for products labeled with a high recycled content or that use "post-consumer" recycled materials, or buy products with minimal packaging or packaging that is easily recyclable.
Recycling is easy, and it makes a difference. More information on America Recycles Day, including a listing of events, is available on the americarecyclesday.org website. The Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin is providing a list of America Recycles Day links and resources. See the AROW website [www.arow-online.org/resources.html] for more information
