By Samantha Santos
From mail to marbles to mattresses, most things are recyclable. Recycling is a simple way every single person can simultaneously conserve finite natural resources and water, protect oceans and forests, generate jobs, save as well as create energy, and help create valuable and competitive resources and products. Best of all, anyone can do it at work and at home. Despite this, Yale and the EPA recently released the statistic that right here in the U.S.A., less than 22% of our total discarded materials are recycled. Indeed, we create more waste than any other country in the world, though we are not the most heavily populated.
Why don’t we recycle? Why don’t we change it from an afterthought to an industry?
Maybe we don’t think we know how to recycle. Maybe it just isn’t a habit. Maybe we think we don’t have the time, space, or supplies to incorporate it into our current lifestyles. The truth is, it’s totally okay to start small. When you empty out a can or jar, wash it with your dinner dishes and separate it from your other trash. You could toss it in a box, a Rubbermaid, a bag, whatever suits you. If you remember to do it only once a week, that’s still 52 items! A single aluminum can or glass jar can save hours’ worth of energy! A couple feet of mail or newspaper can save a whole tree.
If you ever dreamed of being a superhero, here is your way to save the world! Besides, sorting recycling is a fun way to interact with our youngsters and teaches them to value our land and world. We should encourage our influencers to make local recycling a priority.
Business and home owners could provide their spaces with opportunities to improve recycling habits. We have got to stand up and act responsibly in responsible places. Who’s with me? If you live in Bates County and don’t know your local options, check out this city information:
Adrian has recycling drop-off at the city dump. They are open from 8-16:30. Their recycling is picked up and processed by Bates County Industries so they accept the same.
https://www.facebook.com/Adrian.Missouri/posts/the-city-of-adrian-missouris-recycling-center-now-accepts-tin-cans-please-put-yo/10150709480611017/
On Maple Street, in Appleton City, there is a place at the Public Works building that collects co-mingled recycling. https://www.acmogov.com/sanitation-and-recycling
In Butler, Bates County Industries, collects glass, cardboard, paper, plastic, tin, aluminum, as well as textiles. You can find it located on 2500, across the train tracks just North of the airport. For more information, visit:
https://recyclesearch.com/profile/29468
Rockville also offers curbside pick-up. Recycling goes in brown carts. Accepted products include aluminum and tin, bottles and jars, cardboard, mixed paper, and rigid plastic. For more information, visit:
https://www.rockvillemd.gov/300/Recycling-Trash-Yard-Waste
