Does the number 32.
5 ring a bell? No, well it should because it is the percentage of waste that is recycled in this country.
That is up fifteen percent in the past few years, which equates to over 1/4 the amount of waste that is no longer headed for the trash heap.
What does that mean to you? It means that recycling programs are truly getting their message out to the public and that some people are doing their part to help save the environment.
So where do you fit in, with regard to this? Do you take part in a recycling program? Perhaps you just do not know how to go about joining part in the movement to keep recyclables out of the landfills.
"Reduce reuse recycle" should be part of your daily mantra and you should know how to sort the various items into their respective recycle bins.
If you aren't doing so, then begin to change the way you throw out your garbage.
Recycling programs begin with collection and processing.
Your first step is to sort through your trash to determine which recycling bin to use.
Sort out the plastics, papers, glass and aluminum cans into separate containers.
Keep the odors at bay by rinsing out cans and bottles.
Hopefully, your town has a recycling program that picks up the recyclables on the same day the regular trash is picked up.
The second step for a recycling program is manufacturing.
This is the process where your recyclables make their way into another form.
Many of your household items probably came from recycled material, such as glass bottles.
Even roadways are now being created using glass mixed in with asphalt.
Your paper towels and writing paper may be made from recycled paper products.
The final step in recycling programs is the actual recycled goods themselves.
Recyclables can be made into other products.
The more recycled products are used to make new products, the more demand there is for recycling.
People are actually helping the cycle along.
There are some recyclables, such as aluminum cans, that can bring you money back.
Simply take the crushed cans into a recycling center and they will pay you for the cans.
That is extra money in your pocket and adds up quickly.