How to Make Recycling As Easy As 1-2-3

Recycling is one of the first things most people think about when the word "environmentalist" is mentioned. It can be easy, it's simple and it's quick. However, not everyone is doing it! Surprisingly, less than half of Americans recycle all the time. In fact, the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) recently polled Americans and found that 25% of Americans don't recycle at all! The vast majority of people on the East and West coasts recycle, but less than two-thirds of the people in the South and Midwest recycle.

If you aren't recycling your waste yet or if you feel like you're not doing it effectively, EnviroCitizen.org has designed a simple way to make it as easy as 1-2-3.

1. First, invest in three bins and label each bin separately so that one bin is designated for paper waste, one is for metal waste and one is for plastic waste. You can do this with a permanent market or you could get your children involved and let them help you decorate it!
    
2. Next, put your recycling bins in a prominent, easily accessible place. Let your family help organize a family recycling mission's statement. Make sure your kids (and your spouse) understand what can and can't be recycled. One common mistake that many people are guilty of is not washing out containers that have held food or other perishables. Taking the time to give them a quick rinse is the difference between a plastic container ending up in a landfill for hundreds of years (recycling plants have to throw away items that have food on them) and the same container getting a second (third, fourth, fifth, etc.) life as a new container.
    
3. You can take it a step further and encourage your neighbors and co-workers to do the same. You could even organize a company recycling program or a neighborhood or community recycling weekend. This kind of event can be fun, education and environmentally beneficial! It's also a great way to bond with people in your life. Most importantly, you are helping to make a big difference when it comes to your own environmental impact. 
   
   Thought recycling is certainly not a new concept, it is still one of the most effective! It is simple, inexpensive and takes little additional effort. Also, it can be quite economical if you pay to dispose of your trash as it reduces the number of bags you have to get rid of weekly! EnviroCitizen.org is a big fan of recycling and encourages you to start or refine your own recycling habits today for a better world tomorrow.