According to the National Institutes of Health, 94% of natural resources used by Americans are non-renewable. Through recycling, we not only save these resources, we also save water and energy, create jobs, and sustain the world for future generations.
Natural resources are being depleted and landfills are being filled at an increasing rate. Our current system of production, consumption and disposal has become unsustainable. It is imperative for everyone – from individuals to large organizations – to rethink our ideas and our relationship to trash disposal. By reducing the amount of trash produced and reusing existing materials, we can all make a difference by protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, and sustaining the planet for future generations.
National Institutes of Health
This week we are going to discuss what it means to Recycle Smarter and how this can be accomplished in our every day lives.
What is Recycling and What are the Benefits?
Recycling: The process of converting waste materials into new materials
According to the EPA, there are many benefits to recycling. It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators; conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals; increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials; prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials; saves energy; supports American manufacturing and conserves valuable resources; and helps create jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States.
What Can We Recycle Locally?
Every community is different so it is important to know what can be recycled and where in your area. For information on what items can be added to your Single Stream Recycling cart, head over to Blacksburg’s Single Stream Recycling page. If you don’t have a recycling cart from the town, there are Drop Off Recycling locations you can go to. This page also lists recycling options and locations for items that cannot be added to the Single Stream Recycling cart.
Curious as to Where Our Recycling Goes?
Once we put an item in our recycling cart we tend to forget about it. We feel we have done our job and hope that our waste is actually being recycled. It is reassuring to know that Blacksburg’s Single Stream Recycling is processed in Roanoke at Recycling and Disposal Solutions. If you would like to learn more, take a virtual tour through the video below.
Learn More!
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