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America Recycles Day is November 15

Submitted by Lorene Bartos, UNL Extension Educator

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What's in your garbage? America Recycles Day is November 15. This is a day designated to draw attention to the importance of recycling. Take a look at your garbage. What is in it that could be recycled? Do you see paper, newspaper, cans, bottles, or cardboard? America Recycles Day gives people the opportunity to start thinking about recycling and then take action to do it.

If America's recycling rate for aluminum and steel cans, plastic PET and glass containers, newsprint and corrugated packaging increased by 10 percent, we would save enough energy to provide electricity to 1.8 million Americans for an entire year.

You can help the environment by doing your part in recycling. We hear the excuse it takes to much time or where will I put the items until I go to a drop off site. Yes, it will take time but once you start it will become part of your daily routine. A couple tubs or boxes in the garage would be an easy collection place. Lincoln and Lancaster County residents are lucky to have 26 recycling drop-off sites at their convenience.

Most drop-off sites collect newspapers, cardboard, aluminum or steel cans, bottles or jars, #1 and #2 plastics, and mixed paper. Curbside recycling is also available for a fee. In the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the City received 7,075 tons of recyclables through its network of recycling drop-off sites. You can help increase the amount of recyclables collected by selecting items you find in your trash.

Tips for recycling:

* Rinse, clean and flatten aluminum and tin cans - labels can stay on.

* Put newspapers included inserts and ad in a paper sack.

* Rinse and flatten #1 and #2 plastic bottles and containers. Lids and plastic rings should be removed.

* Mixed paper includes unwanted mail, magazines, office and school paper, and telephone directories.

* Shred or tear up any papers with personal information before recycling.

* Rinse food and beverage bottles, green, brown and clear. Remove lids. Sort by color at site.

* Flatten cardboard boxes and paper boards (i.e. cereal boxes).

Recycling doesn't stop by taking items to the drop off-site or having curb-side pick up. It includes purchasing recycled content products and being wise when shopping to purchase item with less packaging.

Learn more about recycling on Saturday, November 17, when residents will have the opportunity to visit the Mobile Environmental Education Center at a local America Recycles Day celebration held at Midland Recycling, 440 'J' Street, noon to 4 p.m. Free hot dogs and refreshments will be available at the event, along with children's activities, facility tours, local prize drawings, and presentations.

Start today, look in your garbage and pledge to start recycling. If recycling is already in your daily routine continue to save the environment and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

For a map and list of recycling sites check the Lincoln phone book or visit the City of Lincoln Recycling website www.lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: recycle).