Twenty years ago, a team of Texas recyclers started America Recycles Day, to be observed every November 15.
This year, there are plenty of ways to get involved and get educated — whether that's seeing what leaders and officials are saying or listening in on a plethora of webinars that are scheduled throughout the day.
Some municipalities and businesses are making changes to their recycling programs because of volatile markets. While these changes are happening, it's seen as important to continue communication and education to maintain public trust. Keep America Beautiful, steward of the day since 2010, is asking people to sign on to the #BeRecycled pledge in support.
Below is our roundup of different statements, events and webinars that are happening today. Did we miss something? Shoot an email to cboteler@industrydive.com. This list may be updated throughout the day.
Statements of support
"Today, on the 20th anniversary of America Recycles Day, we celebrate Americans whose recycling habits help maintain our global leadership and competitiveness."
— Text from a proclamation from President Donald Trump.
"America Recycles Day helps to shine a light on our ongoing efforts to educate and inspire people to reduce, reuse and recycle, and when they buy, to buy products made from sustainable and recycled materials."
— Brenda Pulley, senior vice president, recycling at Keep America Beautiful.
"SWANA is proud to collaborate with associations like Keep America Beautiful that share our mission of improving the management of solid waste. I hope that we can all take some time during this important day to consider how each of us can improve our recycling mindset in our office, schools and homes every day of the year."
— Jeff Murray, Solid Waste Association of North America's International President
"There is opportunity for even greater contribution, as the most recent data shows that materials worth $9 billion are thrown away each year. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of America Recycles Day, EPA encourages every American to recycle more and trash less to minimize environmental effects, create jobs and strengthen the economy."
— Statement from the Environmental Protection Agency.
"Through the simple act of recycling and buying recycled products, consumers can create the momentum that helps invigorate the materials markets and fills the supply chain with recycled materials. That, in turn, can fuel manufacturers, and other industry innovations."
— From a blog post signed by Helen Lowman, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, Robin Wiener, president of ISRI and David Biderman, executive director and CEO of SWANA.
Webinars
2017 State of Recycling Forum
— Objectives for this year's full-day forum include identifying priority actions for stakeholders to collaborate on advancing plastic recycling and creating a deeper understanding of the challenges that face plastic recycling. A live stream is available on ISRI's website.
Trash and Waste Management Around the World - What Happens at the Household Level
— A solid waste economic researcher will discuss how people around the world manage waste and recycled materials. Hosted by a partnership between the National Recycling Coalition and the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center.
Results of the 'Study on the Economic Impacts of Recycling' in Texas
— Key topics will include the economic impact of recycling in Texas, current efforts and rates in Texas and infrastructure needs to improve recycling in underserved areas. Hosted by Burns & McDonnell, based on a survey conducted for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Illuminating Growth in Composting Access and Processing Through Data
— This second installment of the Composting Collaborative's webinar series will feature Nora Goldstein, editor of BioCycle, Brenda Platt, of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) and Virginia Street, also of the ILSR.
