America Recycles Day is celebrated every year on November 15. It is also known as National Recycling Day. The day is all about recycling — how to recycle, which recycled products to buy, and how to reduce waste.
History of America Recycles Day
America Recycles Day wasn’t always a national day. It began in Texas, where two employees of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality decided to celebrate Texas Recycles Day. This day was supposed to spread information about recycling in the state and encourage more people to recycle their waste.
These employees, Kevin Teurff and Valerie Davis kept up the observance of Texas Recycles Day as long as they worked with the Texas Commission. When they left their jobs, proposed the conversion of Texas Recycles Day to America Recycles Day. The National Recycling Coalition accepted the proposal and America Recycles Day was born.
The first America Recycles Day was announced in Florida, and over 40 states participated. Over the years, the National Recycling Coalition has worked on spreading the events throughout the country. Now there are over 3,000 events throughout all 50 states.
Thanks to the work by the Recycling Coalition and the America Recycles Day events, recycling has increased from 7% in the 1960s to 32% today.
The largest community organization in America, Keep America Beautiful focuses on reducing littering and increasing recycling to beautify communities in America. This organization is one of the primary organizers of events on America Recycles Day.
They organize and promote recycling events right through the month of November. As part of their work in reducing litter, they organize volunteers to clean up communities and collect recyclable materials.
They also work to convince people to recycle more with social media campaigns, increasing the recycling rates throughout the country.
America Recycles Day timeline
Kevin Teurff and Valerie Davis start Texas Recycles Day to increase recycling.
America Recycles Day is announced and celebrated in over 40 states.
Over 3,000 events are organized throughout the country and all the states celebrate.
Keep America Beautiful has been promoting America Recycles Day ever since.
America Recycles Day FAQs
When did America start recycling?
The Texas Recycles Day started in 1994, but America has been recycling since the 1970s.
Which state recycles the most?
Currently, Maine has the highest rates of recycling in the country.
How much of our waste is recyclable?
According to the EPA, nearly 70% of the waste in America is recyclable.
How To Celebrate America Recycle Day?
Volunteer with your local KAB chapter
Keep America Beautiful has chapters everywhere and you can celebrate by volunteering to collect recyclables on November 15.
Start a recycling club
Work with your friends and family in your community to start a recycling club that helps your neighborhood recycle.
Organize a recycled products pop-up
Reach out to local proprietors who sell recycled products and have a fun pop-up market where people can explore and purchase recycled goods!
5 Cool Facts About Recycling That Will Blow Your Mind
The U.S. recycles 65% of its aluminum
105,800 aluminum cans are recycled in the country every minute.
Recycling is profitable
Every 10,000 tons of materials recycled produces $760,000 in wages for people across the country.
A lot of waste can be recycled
In 2018, KAB volunteers collected 1,250,000 pounds of recyclable materials.
There’s a lot of work in recycling
Over 681,000 jobs in America are related to recycling.
America Recycles Day is now very popular
More than 15 million people participate in America Recycles Day events every year.
Why We Celebrate America Recycles Day
Recycling saves the planet
Reducing our waste and consuming fewer resources helps reduce our carbon footprints.
People don’t know about buying recycled products
And it’s important to not only recycle our waste but also buy recycled products so fewer resources are used up.
Recycling needs to spread further
Despite all the work by the KAB, there are still many places in the country where recycling is not practiced.
America Recycles Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | November 15 | Friday |
| 2025 | November 15 | Saturday |
| 2026 | November 15 | Sunday |
| 2027 | November 15 | Monday |
| 2028 | November 15 | Wednesday |
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