Happy America Recycles Day! While it’s always important to recycle, November 15th is a great day to give it some special attention and celebrate our planet. Here at SPU, we’ll be celebrating with you and sharing tips and tricks to help you recycle right!
We’ll have booths on Lower Queen Anne at 500 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109, and on North Beacon Hill at 2500 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144-5126.
Come see us on America Recycles Day, November 15th, get your recycling questions answered, and discover more ways to recycle every day!
Why Should You Recycle?
Recycling saves energy!
Recycling just 10 plastic bottles can save enough energy to power a laptop for 25 hours, according to the EPA.
Recycling boosts the economy!
Recycling creates jobs and drives growth — in 2012 alone, it supported 681,000 jobs and $37.8 billion in wages, according to the EPA.
Recycling saves you money!
In cities like Seattle, recycling rates are built into garbage service fees — so the more you recycle, the less you pay for trash.
Recycling reduces pollution!
Each recycled item helps keep materials out of landfills, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Recycling protects our future!
By conserving resources and reducing waste, recycling helps sustain the environment for generations to come.
Recycling gives materials a second life!
Recycling transforms used products into new ones — conserving resources, saving energy, and reducing strain on our planet.
How Do You Recycle Right?
To recycle right, you only need to remember three simple steps:
1. Empty
- Make sure your recyclable item is totally empty.
- That means no half-full water bottles or drink cups with ice — dump them out before recycling!
2. Clean
- Your recyclables should be clean as well as empty.
- Food residue in peanut butter jars or yogurt tubs can contaminate clean recyclables.
- To avoid this, rinse it out, wipe it down, or run it through the dishwasher.
3. Dry
- Once you’ve cleaned your recyclables, dry them off.
- Moisture can ruin cardboard or paper, making them unrecyclable.
- A quick dry ensures your recyclables stay clean, dry, and ready for a second life!
If you’re ever unsure about an item, look it up on the Where Does it Go? Tool. When in doubt, find out! You can also find out more here: Recycle Right. It Matters. – Utilities | seattle.gov
Come out to join us on America Recycles Day on November 15th! It’s a great way to get involved and celebrate our planet. Happy Recycling!