America Recycles Day

America Recycles Day® (ARD), a Keep America Beautiful national initiative, is the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States.

America Recycles Day by the Numbers

In the past year, our hard-working volunteers
and affiliates have recycled:

2,335,135+ lbs of mixed paper
1,492,898+ lbs of electronics
535,918+ lbs of beverage containers
157,958+ lbs of clothing/textiles
1,899,869+ lbs of single-stream recycling
6,056,816+ lbs of other recycled materials And more!

!In total, we’ve recycled over 16.5 MILLION POUNDS of recyclables. And counting!

About America Recycles Day

America Recycles Day is the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States! Held on and around November 15, America Recycles Day (ARD) educates and encourages individuals on how to be more mindful of what they consume, where and how to properly recycle, and to pledge to recycle more and recycle right in their everyday lives.

Focusing on individual action, the day highlights the actions we can all take to collectively address the challenges facing our nation’s recycling system. Through ARD, Keep America Beautiful and its partners inspire communities and individuals to recognize the economic, environmental, and social benefits of recycling.

Keep America Beautiful urges people to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle in every aspect of their life.Recycle at home, work, school and on the go;Buy products made with recycled content; andEducate and encourage friends, family, and neighbors to do the same

How did America Recyles day begin?

Also known as National Recycling Day, this day began in 1994 after 2 employees of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality suggested the idea to the National Recycling Coalition. The first America Recycles Day was officially held on November 15, 1994, and had over 40 states taking part.

Why Is Recycling Important?

Recycling is important to ensuring our planet remains healthy. There are many great reasons and benefits to recycling which include:

Reducing landfill waste

Conserving natural resources such as oceans and forests

Helping to lessen the burning of fossil fuels which can decrease the emission of greenhouse gas

What Can Be Done On America Recycles Day - And Every Day - To Reduce Waste?

It all starts with having less things. Before you shop, think about whether you really need that item. If you do need the item, then you can determine if it is a “green” product. Is it eco-friendly, has it passed standards for energy savings and is it something that is built to last?

Everyone can make a difference in their community. It starts with you, and with us. Recycling is an active step we can all take to clean, green, and beautify our lives. Let’s take the step together! Join the movement! 

2023 Ard Hero Award

For the 4th year, KAB will honor a U.S. military installation who is leading by example and inspiring other military installations to do the same. Through waste reduction and recycling programs that maximize renewable resources, exemplify collaboration, and ensure sustainability, this year’s ARD Hero Award goes to Edwards Air Force Base. Notable efforts at the base include the collection of office recycling bins twice a week and the recycling of glass, sent to Recycling Lives, a local non-profit that helps individuals reintegrate into the workforce. 

Funding in support of America Recycles Day 2023 is provided by Altria, Anheuser-Busch, Heineken USA, International Bottled Water Association, Niagara Cares, and Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company.