America Recycles Day

By Kate Allen
For Parents
November 14, 2022

November 15 is America Recycles Day. 

From the epa.gov webpage about this day:

On America Recycles Day (November 15), EPA recognizes the importance and impact of recycling, which has contributed to American prosperity and the protection of our environment. The recycling rate has increased from less than seven percent in 1960 to the current rate of 32 percent. An EPA study found that recycling and reuse activities in the United States accounted for 681,000 jobs and $37.8 billion in wages.

The recycling efforts of communities and business throughout the United States have helped with this success and growth. To build on our progress, EPA encourages every American to contribute by recycling right, not only on America Recycles Day, but all year long. This means checking with your local recycling provider to know what they will accept in your recycling bin. Items like cardboard, metal cans, and paper are commonly accepted by local curbside programs, and items like plastic bags, electronics and batteries do NOT go in the curbside recycling bin. Visit our How Do I Recycle?: Common Recyclables to learn how and where to recycle these and other items.

FCPS Recycles

FCPS is committed to recycling and other initiatives that help our environment. As an example, starting November 2, FCPS is now recycling Plastic #5. Plastic #5, or Polypropylene, is found in some yogurt containers, syrup and medicine bottles, caps, and straws. You can read more on the Get2Green website, including how trash collected from FCPS is taken to a waste-to-energy plant in Lorton where it is burned to generate electricity!  

Recycle Your Halloween Pumpkins for Wildlife

Halloween is now behind us, but that doesn't mean your jack-o-lanterns have to be trashed! Learn how you can recycle pumpkins to help wildlife.