FollowReduce, reuse, recycle – while the majority of us can recite this alliteration in our sleep, it takes commitment to make this mantra a part of our waking hours. And let’s face it, recycling can be baffling for those wanting to dip their toe into the “what can I do?” waters.
The juxtaposition of combatting confusion while inspiring novices often requires the lift of a national campaign. America Recycles Day (Nov. 15) is part of the Keep America Beautiful program – a strategy to dedicate one day to educate, motivate and make recycling bigger and better. The project asks individual to make an online pledge to practice just one thing in 2019 to reduce, reuse or recycle. Ultimately, if daily habits can be instilled this year, the “three Rs” should be firmly in place for 2020.
While America Recycles Day is celebrated just one day a year, it is meant to be a way to kick start practices that become a part of a lifestyle. Akin to a New Year’s resolution, the goal is to carry out daily actions that create a habit we don’t think twice about. The objective is to have people lead a more intentional way of life.
ALPAR’s Flying Cans and Flying Bottles is just one program that aims to demonstrate that even in rural communities, a lack of roads is not a barrier to recycling. Over the years, more than 90 villages have raised their hand and pledged to recycle aluminum cans and #1 PET bottles. The effort not only diverts material from local landfills, but reallocates resources for reuse. While it is just one part of the three Rs, it is the idea that if everyone did just one thing, we can all add to the global lift of individual actions.
With the holidays and resolutions around the corner, it’s not too early to start thinking about what will you pledge to commit to in 2019?