Not Recycling Yet? Get Started!!

Thanks to The Nature Conservancy’s chief scientist, author, Katharine Hayhoe, for sharing this Great Idea in her Talking Climate blog; shared here, verbatim.

Katharine writes:

‘I recycle with the best of them—just ask my family! I’m notorious for tracking down misplaced items and lecturing people about what goes where. So it’s discouraging to hear that only 9 percent of plastic actually gets recycled. Sometimes I wonder, why bother?

Here’s encouraging news, though: some materials, like cardboard, paper, and aluminum, are easier and more effective to recycle, and they can even turn a profit. For example, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that two-thirds of cardboard and paper that isn’t recycled every year represents a $4 billion economic loss in the U.S. alone. Similarly, recycling aluminum uses only 5 percent of the energy needed to produce new aluminum, and aluminum can be recycled infinitely.

Recycling on our own is a good start; but imagine the impact if we all banded together. Schools, businesses, restaurants, and other local organizations use tons of paper, boxes, and aluminum cans daily— just think of the difference it would have if, with a little encouragement, they started recycling too. 

Ask your local organizations if they recycle cans and fibre; and if not, why not? Consider helping them set up a recycling program, or organizing volunteer groups to collect recyclables at events. When we take recycling beyond our homes, we can transform what’s wasted into something valuable and prove yet again how collective effort has the power to create real change.’

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If your congregation isn’t recycling yet, what are the barriers? Why is this not a priority?

If will power is the answer, it may be helpful to read the Axios article, Climate Action Can Quickly Slow Global Warming or watch Hayhoe’s How Do We Know Humans Are to Blame for Rising Temperatures? Both are accessible for ages 12 and up, so could be shared in an intergenerational setting. Let folx share how the article and video make them feel. Let young people, especially, share their feelings about climate change. As the ones who will inherit the planet, their voices need to be heard.

If access to recycling sites is a challenge, every county lists their landfills, transfer stations, and waste services – complete with recycling locations and dump sites.

If access is a primary challenge, invite other individuals and organizations to join you: schools, businesses, libraries, etc.: if everyone banded together new opportunities could be created. Working together means one or two people, with the proper vehicle, could transport the community’s recyclables to your nearest location. Working together also means you can petition your local government or utilities to provide this resource to every address in your community.

Listen to neighbors. Identify barriers. Create partnerships. Recycle!!