America Recycles Day: Learn How to Recycle More and Make a Difference

america recycles day 2024: If you’ve ever gazed upon landfills, you’ll notice an abundance of waste that pollutes the environment and nearby communities. If this brings tears to your eyes, rest assured, you’re not alone! There’s one among numerous options that can provide you with the opportunity to catalyze change in your own life and the lives of others. National Recycling Day presents the perfect occasion to commit to recycling those used products and waste that would otherwise accumulate. If you have a concern for our planet and aspire to halt its destruction, the time has come to acquaint yourself with National Recycling Day.

I hope you’re prepared to recycle, as November 15th marks National Recycling Day, and we’re committed to ensuring that nothing goes to waste. According to National Geographic, Americans send 64 tons of waste to landfills in their lifetimes, which amounts to a staggering 246 million tons of waste every year. National Recycling Day strives to inspire Americans to buy recycled products and increase their recycling efforts.

America Recycles Day 2024

Empowering Recycling

America Recycles Day 2024 serves as a moment to educate and inspire each other to minimize waste and recycle correctly.

Impactful Statistics4

Since 1990, Central Virginia has impressively recycled over 14 million tons in homes, workplaces, and schools.

History of National Recycling Day

• Initiation: Launched in 1997 by the National Recycling Coalition.
• Presidential Acknowledgment: Annually declared by a Presidential Proclamation to encourage recycling practices.
• Keep America Beautiful: Since 2009, the event is spearheaded by this initiative.

Advocacy and Action

• Community Engagement: Weeks leading to this day witness numerous community-driven promotional activities.
• Educational Goals: Aimed at teaching the significance of recycling for economic and environmental wellness.
• Professional Participation: Keep America Beautiful facilitates events and pledges for recycling continuity.

States Ranked by How Well They Recycle?

Economic and Job Creation Benefits

• Employment Growth: The EPA reports that a 34% recycling rate contributes to over 750,000 jobs and generates above $37 billion in wages.
• Waste Management Education: Both EPA and Keep America Beautiful champion this cause, focusing on proper waste management and reusability.

Top Recycling Champion States

Maine takes the crown for recycling prowess, boasting a stellar 74% waste recycling rate. With a robust 285 pounds per resident, Maine outshines all with its commitment to sustainability, reinforced by its deposit return system (DPS).

State	Cardboard and Boxboard	Rigid Plastics Total	PET Bottles	Aluminum Cans	Steel Cans	Glass Bottles and Jars (A)	Glass Bottles and Jars (B)	Recycling Rate With all CCPM	Pounds per Capita Recycled	Bottle Bill?	CCPM Supportive Legislation?	Total Index Score
1	Maine	77%	57%	78%	85%	29%	83%	73%	74%	285	Yes	No	225.0
2	Vermont	64%	37%	51%	67%	48%	76%	55%	62%	201	Yes	Yes	204.3
3	Connecticut	74%	33%	47%	61%	24%	66%	46%	63%	252	Yes	No	198.6
4	Oregon	74%	26%	69%	85%	35%	72%	53%	66%	230	Yes	No	194.9
5	California	60%	30%	57%	78%	29%	54%	44%	54%	204	Yes	Yes	194.6
6	Massachusetts	52%	28%	38%	70%	39%	71%	50%	52%	201	Yes	Yes	190.8
7	Iowa	75%	18%	30%	76%	19%	66%	61%	62%	233	Yes	No	190.5
8	Delaware	69%	12%	9%	36%	35%	61%	32%	59%	238	No	Yes	188.2
9	New Jersey	73%	27%	22%	60%	60%	56%	30%	62%	247	No	No	170.5
10	New York	64%	32%	54%	64%	43%	66%	52%	58%	168	Yes	No	162.3
11	Pennsylvania	77%	21%	14%	48%	69%	44%	23%	60%	229	No	No	161.4
12	Minnesota	70%	14%	25%	43%	48%	66%	35%	60%	206	No	No	153.4
13	Hawaii	57%	26%	44%	61%	4%	44%	40%	45%	191	Yes	No	152.8
14	North Carolina	67%	8%	8%	16%	27%	39%	22%	44%	177	No	Yes	146.6
15	Rhode Island	66%	28%	36%	39%	61%	47%	25%	56%	186	No	No	140.9
16	Washington	75%	21%	28%	46%	46%	53%	28%	58%	160	No	No	134.5
17	Wisconsin	40%	21%	24%	27%	61%	65%	34%	40%	148	No	Yes	131.0
18	Michigan	35%	39%	57%	86%	35%	56%	42%	40%	142	Yes	No	128.9
19	Missouri	58%	13%	9%	18%	26%	45%	24%	46%	174	No	No	123.2
20	Nebraska	64%	13%	14%	19%	21%	13%	7%	46%	170	No	No	121.8
21	New Hampshire	53%	25%	29%	32%	32%	38%	20%	44%	173	No	No	120.2
22	Florida	61%	8%	7%	25%	24%	33%	18%	42%	173	No	No	117.5
23	Nevada	54%	11%	16%	15%	18%	25%	13%	39%	141	No	No	102.2
24	Virginia	56%	9%	10%	23%	40%	45%	25%	42%	129	No	No	102.0
25	Maryland	38%	31%	30%	54%	57%	52%	27%	41%	128	No	No	100.3
26	Utah	52%	12%	14%	17%	17%	24%	13%	37%	143	No	No	100.2
27	Kansas	43%	14%	16%	25%	26%	47%	25%	37%	141	No	No	99.5
28	Georgia	51%	9%	9%	20%	24%	24%	13%	36%	141	No	No	98.1
29	South Dakota	42%	13%	16%	25%	25%	47%	25%	36%	140	No	No	97.8
30	Idaho	50%	11%	13%	17%	17%	23%	12%	36%	132	No	No	95.0
31	Arizona	50%	14%	15%	16%	15%	23%	12%	36%	129	No	No	93.9
32	North Dakota	39%	12%	15%	23%	23%	43%	23%	33%	136	No	No	92.3
33	South Carolina	54%	4%	2%	10%	17%	10%	5%	34%	129	No	No	91.2
34	Indiana	39%	17%	16%	17%	37%	35%	19%	34%	125	No	No	89.8
35	Illinois	41%	11%	12%	24%	25%	26%	14%	33%	126	No	No	88.8
36	Montana	46%	10%	12%	15%	15%	21%	11%	33%	121	No	No	87.1
37	Wyoming	46%	10%	12%	15%	15%	21%	11%	33%	119	No	No	86.4
38	Colorado	49%	9%	8%	14%	18%	23%	12%	33%	112	No	No	83.9
39	West Virginia	47%	2%	3%	7%	7%	1%	1%	31%	105	No	No	78.7
40	Texas	42%	10%	11%	16%	23%	13%	7%	32%	96	No	No	76.9
41	Oklahoma	42%	7%	7%	13%	14%	13%	7%	29%	105	No	No	76.0
42	Arkansas	39%	7%	5%	12%	13%	22%	12%	28%	105	No	No	74.7
43	New Mexico	38%	8%	10%	13%	13%	18%	9%	27%	97	No	No	70.5
44	Louisiana	41%	5%	4%	11%	5%	3%	2%	26%	97	No	No	69.2
45	Kentucky	32%	7%	8%	16%	11%	22%	12%	24%	90	No	No	64.0
46	Ohio	32%	9%	11%	16%	24%	32%	17%	27%	72	No	No	61.8
47	Alabama	32%	5%	6%	16%	11%	14%	8%	22%	84	No	No	59.2
48	Tennessee	32%	4%	3%	17%	11%	7%	4%	22%	82	No	No	58.5
49	Mississippi	24%	4%	4%	12%	8%	11%	6%	17%	63	No	No	45.1
50	Alaska	24%	1%	1%	3%	8%	11%	6%	16%	53	No	No	40.2

♻️ Deposit Return Systems Drive Success

• DPS Dominance: Among the top recyclers, the majority implement a DPS, with Maine pioneering in various materials.
• Material Mastery:
  • Cardboard Kings: Maine and Pennsylvania share the throne for cardboard recycling.
  • Plastic Pioneers: Maine excels in reclaiming rigid plastics and plastic bottles.
  • Steel Specialists: Pennsylvania shines with the highest steel recycling.
  • Aluminum Aces: Michigan stands out for recycling aluminum cans.

The Top 10 Recycling States

1. Maine
2. Vermont
3. Connecticut
4. Oregon
5. California
6. Massachusetts
7. Iowa
8. Delaware
9. New Jersey
10. New York

States with Room for Recycling Improvement

Alaska Struggles with Recycling

Alaska is at the bottom with a minimal 16% recycling rate, and the state recycles a mere 53 pounds per person. With negligible rigid plastics and PET bottles recycling and a 3% rate for aluminum cans, Alaska’s remote geography and lack of legislation and curbside recycling access are hurdles to be overcome.

Behind in Recycling Efforts

• Legislative Lapses: Alaska and others lack supportive recycling legislation and systems.
• Curbside Challenges: Access to convenient recycling options is scarce in the lower-ranking states.

The 10 Lowest-Performing Recycling States

1. Alaska ❄️
2. Mississippi
3. Tennessee
4. Alabama
5. Ohio
6. Kentucky
7. Louisiana
8. New Mexico
9. Arkansas
10. Oklahoma

Assess Your State’s Recycling Rank

How does your state fare in the lineup? Consider glass, plastics, cardboard, and other materials in the recycling league table.

Increasing Trend in Recycling ♻️

• Historical Perspective: From less than 7% in 1960 to more than 32% today.
• Continuous Efforts: The EPA urges Americans to adopt recycling as an everyday habit.

Everyday Recycling Actions ✅

• Reconsider our purchase habits.
• Opt for products made from recycled materials.
• Participate in local recycling programs.

Recycling Facts

• Regional Requirements: Central Virginia must recycle 25% of its waste and currently exceeds 55%.
• Employment: The recycling economy supports 681,000 U.S. jobs.
• Sustainability: 75% of all aluminum produced is still in use.
• Energy Conservation: Recycling one glass bottle can save enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours.
• Environmental Impact: One ton of recycled paper can save 17 mature trees.
• Recycled Products: Numerous everyday items are made from recycled plastics america recycles day 2024.

AMERICA RECYCLES DAY 2024 – November 15

• Participation: Millions in the U.S. engage in recycling awareness and activities.
• Recycling Benefits: Advocates reducing the daily dump of 60 million single-use water bottles by preferring reusable options.
• Thrifting: Encourages shopping at secondhand stores to reduce landfill waste.
• Aluminum Recycling Success: The U.S. leads with a 65% recycling rate of aluminum america recycles day 2024.

Aluminum Recycling Impact♻️

• Cycling Rate: 105,800 cans are recycled every minute in the U.S.
• Energy Saving: Recycling one can save enough energy to run a TV for 3 hours.
• Economic Value: In 2019, an aluminum can’s recycled worth was about 1.7 cents.
• Industry Contribution: Over $1 billion is paid annually for recycled cans america recycles day 2024.

Waste Management Guidance

Waste management professionals provide crucial insights into recycling processes and its benefits for our planet.

HOW TO OBSERVE #AmericaRecyclesDay

• Actions: Recycle, buy recycled goods, and educate others on the importance of recycling, extending beyond just this day.
• Social Media: Use #AmericaRecyclesDay to share your recycling commitments.

AMERICA RECYCLES DAY 2024 HISTORY

• Founding: Created by the National Recycling Coalition in 1997.
• Presidential Involvement: Supported by an annual declaration.
• Keep America Beautiful: Organizes nationwide events and pledges since 2009 to bolster recycling awareness and action.