November 15th is “America Recycles Day”. Since November 1997, communities across the country have come together on the 15th of the month to get involved; to educate and to inspire recycling efforts and awareness. As part of this event, our communities, fellow government agencies, and our military installations across America will sponsor recycling drives. We encourage every member of the Army Reserve Family (Soldier, Family member and Civilian employee) to participate in these events. By working together to make recycling a part of our lifestyle, we can move even faster towards our goal of a truly sustainable Army Reserve.
As a community based force, it is important for us to support local programs on our installations and at our Army Reserve Centers. As individuals and families, we should look for opportunities to recycle where we live, work, play, and go to school. Here are just a few simple ways you can make a difference – some may surprise you, some are just basic common sense:
• Along with plastic grocery bags, recycle the bags from your dry-cleaning, bread, and newspaper. Remember to take clean, dry bags to recycling centers or retailers with plastic bag recycling bins. Consider purchasing re-usable grocery bags.
• Paper and cardboard are America’s most recycled materials by weight. Most communities accept corrugated cardboard as well as cereal and tissue boxes. Some accept mail, catalogues, and phone books.
• Make buying recycled products a habit. Look for products and packaging with recycled content (and efficient packaging).
• Minimizing trash generated and reusing products reduces impact on the planet’s resources. Reuse when possible and practical – and reduce your unwanted mail by unsubscribing at www.CatalogChoice.org
• Check with your local community for materials that aren’t collected. Mixing them with collectible materials contaminates the process and creates additional work.
• Recycle your wireless phone. Every year, more than 100 million cell phones that are replaced just sit in our drawers or closets, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you have these, donate them or find a recycler.
• Practice good waste prevention – because the best and easiest way to recycle is to not have a lot of recycling to do. The most common forms of waste prevention are reducing need, reusing what you have, and donating to charities or non-profits.
• Most importantly - if your community has a curbside recycling program, support it.
By recycling and purchasing products containing recycled materials we reduce the quantity of non-renewable natural resources used in everything from paper products and building materials to consumer electronics. We also reduce the amount of waste being buried in our landfills or polluting our air through incineration, all while preserving the environment for future generations. Recycling is one of the easiest ways for all of us to make a positive impact on sustaining our environment and it’s the right thing to do for our environment, for our Families, for our Army and for our Nation.
Twice the Citizen – Army Strong!
JEFFREY W. TALLEY LUTHER THOMAS JR
Lieutenant General, US Army Command Sergeant Major, US Army
Chief, Army Reserve / Commanding Army Reserve Command Sergeant Major
General, US Army Reserve Command