The landfills are filling up, and the public does not trust the incinerators! What are we going to do to save the earth? Recycle. One word, sounds easy enough, but what does it mean?
In spite of the overwhelming odds at saving the planet’s ecosystem, there is something each of us can do right now. We can pollute less, buy into a close the loop philosophy, and attempt to influence others to do the same. Future generations will be influenced by the actions we take today.

It’s In Your Backyard, What Can You Do?You can make a difference in preserving our planet’s resources and decreasing the amount of added pollution. The amount of recycled material has significantly increased since 1980. We now keep 30 percent of municipal wastes out of the landfills. More than 150 million Americans recycle at home or work and generate 4.5 lbs of waste each day in 2000, down from 4.6 lbs. Per day in 1999. The amount of active landfills have decreased from over 5,000 nationwide to fewer than 1,500 in the last ten years. These trends are promising but with our increasing population we need to do more. So how can you help?

REDUCE - to prevent waste before it is created.

Waste reduction refers to reducing the amount of waste produced. For example, use china and silverware whenever possible instead of using disposable paper plates and plastic flatware. Reduce toxic substances in waste by using a nontoxic oven cleaner instead of one that contains hazardous ingredients.

The best way to discover where you can reduce waste is to actually sort through your trash. What does each person throw away? What materials take up the most space? Is anything reusable or repairable? Can you reduce the amount of disposable products you use? Can you substitute products and packaging made of reusable, recyclable, or nonhazardous materials? If you are throwing away unusable leftover products, can you give them to someone else, or buy these things in smaller sizes?

REUSE – the process of finding new purposes for objects and materials that have outgrown their original use or using them again for their original purpose.(Include two arrows of recycling loop)
Reuse is a key component of waste reduction. Many everyday items can have more than one use. Reusing products extends their lives and keeps them out of the waste stream longer.

RECYCLING – involves the separation and collection of materials for processing and remanufacturing into new products, and the use of the products to complete the cycle.
Recycling allows you to reduce your own waste disposal costs. By simply reducing the amount of garbage you throw away you can save money.

How To Help Close The Recycling Loop
Many efforts already have been made to close the recycling loop. Manufacturers of consumer products are recycling impressive amounts of reusable products. About 30 percent of the nation’s newspapers, office paper, cardboard, aluminum, glass and steel containers are being recycled. As consumer demand increases for recycled goods so will the amounts of aluminum, paper, steel, glass and plastic being recycled.

Be A Label Reader

Make an effort to look for recycling information printed on packages. Commit yourself to reading environmental labels and to buying recyclable products, as well as products packaged in recycled materials. A good place to begin is in the supermarket. Check labels on boxes of cereal, cookies and crackers for the recycle symbol. Check canned goods and food in glass containers. Check detergents and cleaning supplies in plastic containers. Start checking all labels and you will discover dozens of packages made from recycled materials.

How Much Do We Really Recycle?

*Aluminum
We recycle over half of our aluminum. Making a new aluminum can out of an old one saves on the energy used to make the can. New cans are back in the store in as little as six weeks. These items can be taken to the redemption center and receive California redemption money in return.

*Paper
We recycle about 45% of all paper. Paper fibers can be recycled several times before they become too weak and must be discarded. Using recycled paper to make new paper saves much of the energy and resources consumed by making paper from trees.

*Glass
We recycle about 26% of our glass. Making recycled glass uses less energy and makes less than making new glass because crushed recycled glass melts at a lower temperature than the virgin components of glass.

*Plastic
We recycle 1.75 billion pounds of recyclable plastic each year. Although some plastics look alike, they can be made of different ingredients. All plastics with the recyclable symbol 1-7 can be recycled. These items can be taken to a redemption center for money back.

*1998 by the Association of Science Technology Center Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.
Curbside RecyclingThe following materials CAN be placed in your curbside recycling container:

Glass (any color)

Plastic (numbers 1-7)

Aluminum and tin cans

Cardboard

Paper (computer paper, mail, magazines, catalogs, newspaper, etc.)

The following materials CANNOT be placed in your curbside recycling container:
Styrofoam (even if it has a number on it)
Plastic bags of any kind (most grocery store bags can be recycled separately at the store you purchased from)
Broken cups and drinking glasses
Hardbound books
Wax cardboard and cardboard contaminated with food or grease.