Recycling 101
Florida Recycles Week, November 15th - 19th, is celebrated in conjunction with America Recycles Day, which brings the nation together to learn, act and share the importance of recycling and reducing waste with others. According to Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s recycling rate has increased over the past 30 years and is currently 34 percent. However, there is still a lot of confusion when it comes to recycling. Keep Pinellas Beautiful and Pinellas County want to help you recycle more and recycle right!
The Importance of Recycling
Not only does recycling help reduce the impact our waste has on the planet directly, it helps indirectly by curbing the production of goods. Recycled materials help minimize the need of mining, tree cutting and other means of extracting raw materials used to produce the goods we consume. Less production also means less emissions and chemical waste. This creates a positive impact on the environment, which can only be seen if we continue to “close the recycling loop”. This simply means trying to find products made from recycled materials when shopping, so that there is a constant demand for recycling. Of course, the best way to lessen our impact is to reduce your use in the first place. Try replacing single-use plastic water bottles, grocery bags and straws with reusable alternatives.
When In Doubt, Throw It Out!
One of the biggest issues when it comes to recycling is knowing what can and cannot be recycled. According to Pinellas County Solid Waste, the average recycling contamination rate within the county is 19 percent. Don’t get discouraged though - Pinellas County’s 2021 Recycle Guide is a great resource for learning what to put in your curbside bin! Some of the most common contaminants include food, styrofoam, yard waste, wires and plastic bags. Plastic bags can get entangled in machinery and cause issues for recycling plants, so make sure to leave them out. Most importantly, remember “When In Doubt, Throw It Out”, as it’s safer to toss an item in the trash than to potentially contaminate your recycling bin.
How to Be a Recycling Pro
The Pinellas County Recycle Guide is a great place to start for learning best recycling practices. It also explains how to properly dispose of electronic and chemical waste, along with options for composting. Keep an eye out for common items mistakenly recycled such as bottle caps, straws, lids, pizza boxes or plastic bags! Keep food waste out, along with food contaminated items. Remember to always check your local city or town’s guidelines as well, as some may have their own instructions not specified in the guide. If you’re ever uncertain about an item, you can also look it up with the “Where Does It Go?” Search Tool to learn exactly where to take your items for disposal!
Get more involved by signing Keep America Beautiful’s #BERECYCLED pledge today! The pledge encourages you to learn about recycling and why it’s important, then to act by implementing proper recycling etiquette and closing the loop by buying recycled materials. After you take the pledge, spread your knowledge and the importance of recycling with your friends and family. It all begins when we pledge to make a change together!