Step Up: Get Ready for America Recycles Day, November 15
Our wonderful Sebastian Clayton is the Tonic in-house recycling guru. But since he's in England, I suspect he might be unaware of a very exciting American holiday coming up this weekend. No, not Thanksgiving ... I'm talking about America Recycles Day! Sponsored by the National Recycling Coalition, a non-profit advocacy group, America Recycles Day (ARD) is celebrated on November 15, and is in its 11th year!
The goal of ARD is to get Americans thinking about their recycling practices at home and at work. Participants take the pledge to increase their recycling, and to enhance their efforts to buy recycled products. Volunteer coordinators organize recycling awareness events, going to schools and holding events in the community, which is where we know real change has to start! The first step is to take the simple ARD Pledge, in which you promise to:
learn about what you can and can't recycle lead by example recycle electronic waste (Check out Dan's great post about what happens to our electronic waste!) get in touch with your elected officials tell five friends (I'm counting all of you readers!)One of my favorite features of the ARD site is their Recycling 101 section, which has terrific, easy to understand talking points you can use with kids or the "unwilling" — you know, those stick-in-the-mud folks who still say that recycling is a waste of time. The site also lists the NRD events around the country. Recycling events are planned in 41 states, plus the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Don't see your state, or live too far away from the event, but still want to celebrate this Great American Holiday? Start by taking the Pledge, and really make an effort to live up to those promises, especially the last one: Tell everyone that recycling is important. While you're talking to folks, remember Annie's suggestion, and find someone to recognize and thank for their recycling efforts. What better way to celebrate ARD than to acknowledge the efforts and progress and we're all making?
Finally, keep up the good work! If you're reading this, you probably already recycle, compost and reuse glass bottles to hold pennies and flowers. You're taking the three extra steps to put that can in a recycling bin, not the trash. You deserve a celebration! And you know how I love to celebrate: cookies for all of my recycling friends! Happy America Recycles Day!
Photo courtesy of America Recycles.
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