This Wednesday, November 15, is America Recycles Day, a nationally recognized day dedicated to the importance of recycling.
It's also the perfect time to develop your understanding of recycling, learn how to recycle unusual items and start building responsible waste disposal habits.
Why Recycling Is Important
Recycling is one of the best ways for individuals to have an impact on the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes several ways recycling can impact our lives.
Recycling helps the environment by:
- Reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators
- Conserving natural resources
- Creating fewer industrial byproducts associated with extracting new resources
Recycling helps the American economy by:
- Providing a domestic source for resources
- Saving energy
Recycling helps communities by:
- Supporting American manufacturers and conserving community resources
- Creating jobs in the recycling industry
How To Recycle Uncommon Items
Some things, like paper and aluminum cans, are easy to recycle. Other items—especially electronics and plastics—aren't so simple.
How To Recycle TVs
Televisions and other electronics are difficult to recycle. Try donating them if they work. Otherwise, you can recycle them by:
- Contacting your local recycling agency or landfill
- Arrange a pickup if your local recycling provider offers that
- Identify appropriate drop-off recycling stations for TVs
- Contact your TV manufacturer to see if they have a trade-in program
Do not dispose of TVs in your normal recycling or trash. TVs can contain toxic metals like lead that require appropriate disposal facilities.
How To Recycle Batteries
Recycling procedures vary by battery type.
- Give alkaline batteries like AA, AAA and 9-volt to a local recycling center if possible. But it is safe to put these batteries in the trash.
- Bring coin and lithium batteries to a local hazardous waste center.
- Bring rechargeable batteries to a local hazardous waste center or specialized battery recycling facility. If you can't remove them from the device, bring the whole device for recycling.
- Bring car batteries to a local retailer or hazardous waste collection site.
Alkaline batteries are the only batteries that can go in the trash. Never throw away other batteries.
How To Recycle Plastic
Not all plastics are made alike. Look for the recycle sign with a number inside it. Then compare that number to your local recycling guidelines.
Many programs accept #1 and #2 plastics. But they may require special drop-offs, so don't mix plastics with your other recycling or trash unless your local recycling provider recommends it.
How To Recycle Nespresso Pods
Pre-packaged coffee capsules like Nespresso pods have caused some environmental controversy in recent years. They're hugely popular but made of plastic, so they can clutter the environment if disposed of improperly.
The good news is there are three ways to recycle Nespresso pods:
- Bring them to a collection site. See the map on Nespresso's website to find a site in your area.
- Bring them to a Nespresso Boutique or local partner store.
- Request a Nespresso recycling bag from the company and ship your used capsules back to them.
How to Recycle K-Cups
According to Keurig, which manufactures them, all K-Cup pods are now recyclable. They're made from #5 plastic. Like all plastics, however, check with your local recycling program to ensure they accept #5 plastics.
How to Recycle Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs can go in the trash. You can check to see if your local recycling center accepts incandescent light bulbs, but it's safe to dispose of them with the rest of your waste.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), fluorescent bulbs and other light bulbs that contain mercury are more dangerous. For these light bulbs:
- Contact your local hazardous waste disposal facility and ask where you can drop them off.
- Contact local light bulb retailers to see if they accept fluorescent or mercury-containing light bulbs.
- Contact the manufacturer and ask about returning used bulbs to them.
Use America Recycles Day to Build Good Habits
America Recycles Day is only on November 15, but don't let that limit your recycling habits. Use this opportunity to start recycling more and then check in with your progress next America Recycles Day.
Make sure you listen to Newsweek's Better Planet podcast to learn more about living an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Nick Cesare is a Newsweek writer based in Boise. His focus is writing on pets, lifestyle and workplaces. Nick joined ... Read more
