Community Corner

Celebrate America Recycles Day and Give What You Can - Today in Atlanta

It is time to get rid of that old carpet in the basement

Yesterday, President Obama signed a Proclamation celebrating America Recycles Day, and encouraged Americans to do more to reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Today at City Hall, everyone can partake in the President's challenge and bring recyclable textile items to Atlanta City Hall at 55 Trinity Avenue. (a container will be there and available 24 hours a day)

When communities invest in local recycling collection programs, they support local and regional manufacturers who depend on recycled materials to make new consumer goods and help contribute to our economy.

According to a release from the EPA, "in Georgia alone, over 120 businesses use recycled content in manufacturing new products."

“When we reduce, reuse, and recycle materials, we are ensuring a strong economic and environmental future” said Stan Meiburg, Acting Regional Administrator for the Region 4 of the Environmental Protection Agency. “A sustainable approach to managing materials ensures a better future for generations to come.”

Recycling conserves natural resources and prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new materials. This helps save energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Americans create 250 million tons of trash a year, recycling 34 percent of it. A large portion of the country’s trash that ends up in landfills can be recycled or composted. Our recycling and composting efforts in 2011 saved enough energy to power 10 million households for a year, and eliminated the equivalent of the annual emissions of 34 million passenger vehicles on our roads.

Recycling items such as cans, bottles, and paper are just the first step to making a difference. This America Recycles Day, consider getting involved in your community to help make an impact on the environment and those around you. Holding an electronics recycling drive, starting a free community tool-shed to share tools, or donating wholesome food and unwanted items to those in need are just some ways you can give back to your community while preventing precious materials from ending up in a landfill.

For ideas on what you can do: www.epa.gov/waste/wycd

ITEMS TO BRING TODAY TO BE RECYCLED (textiles only):
-Clothing, shoes, belts
-Bedding (sheets and pillows)
-Stuffed Toys
-Carpet and Fabric Scraps


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