Recycling Information

CLOSE THE LOOP! MAKE GOOD CHOICES... BUY RECYCLED!

Each day, Americans produce about 4.3 pounds of municipal solid waste (MSW) per person. Today, more than 28% (up from 11% in 1987) of all MSW generated in the U.S. is recycled. There is still much to do, and you can help!

BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION

Close the Loop... Buy Recycled. Do your part to keep recycling working and growing. Choose products with the highest percentage of post-consumer recycled content (material recycled by consumers / businesses). By purchasing recycled content products, you will help increase market demand for those products, and ensure the viability of recycled programs nationwide.

Read Labels Carefully to determine if a product is made from recycled materials. Did you know that products marked “recycled” are not necessarily made from recycled materials?

Good Things Come in Less Packaging Avoid products with excess packaging, disposables, single-helping packages, and multi-layered, multi-material packaging. Choose goods in reusable containers that can be recycled in your community.

REDUCE... Buy only what you need.
RETHINK... Make conscientious product choices. Look for and purchase recycled products.
REUSE... Reuse products whenever possible. If you do not need them, pass along or share with others.
RECYCLE... Decrease solid waste and get the most out of our natural resources.

Recycling and Buying Recycled...
Saves Natural Resources, Landfill Space, Energy, and Money. Creates less air and water pollution; More jobs.

Exert Your Purchase Power!
Ask Manufacturers to use recycled content materials to make their products and to use less packaging. Ask retailers and grocers to stock more products made from recycled materials.

Learn About Recycling in Your Community
Recycling programs are designed for the specific communities they serve. Efficient recycling is helpful to your recycling coordinators, sanitation workers, and can save money. Call your city/town/state offices to find out:

WHAT your community recycles.
WHEN & WHERE materials are collected.
HOW materials should be prepared for collection (e.g. sorted, flattened, bundled, crushed).

Doing it Right Makes a Difference!
The effectiveness of your recycling program depends on you! Here are some general tips:
Lightly rinse recyclable containers for collection.
Be sure NOT to include in your bin non-recyclables and/or materials not collected in your area!

Curbside Collection
Help make it more efficient and cost effective:
Set out full recycling bins only.
Secure paper and lightweight items.
Set bins by your neighbor’s bins to be collected at the same time.

Recycling at the Office
Recycling should begin at home and extend to your office. Bring your recycling habits to work. Ideas and tips:
Start an office recycling and buy recycled program.
If recycling is not available, bring your recyclables (soda cans, newspapers, etc.) to your home bin.
Print or copy on both sides of paper, then recycle. Check printer and copier manuals for restrictions.

Composting... Nature’s Way of Recycling
Backyard composting is on the rise! Composting yard debris and food remains reduces the amount of solid waste entering landfills. If your community does not have a backyard composting program…compost on your own. For information, contact your local University Cooperative Extension Office or visit EHMI’s website at www.EHMI.org.

Household Chemical Products...
Many common household chemical products can be recycled and are collected separately as part of a household hazardous waste program. CALL for information about your local program.