REDUCE + RECYCLE + REUSE

The regular use of your recycling bins is a great start to becoming a significant part of the solution for our world. As you have probably noticed there has been an increased visibility of the blue Rubbermaid recycling bins with the white recycling decals on the side. The reason this is happening is pure and simple-PEOPLE ARE SMART. I have worked for many years with young people and the one thing my fellow teachers and I realized is that kids know about right and wrong, what they want to know from us is what is smart.

One of the reasons my son Chuck and I decided to focus on recycling is that we share in the optimism of just how smart people are when armed with knowledge and a challenge. Folks have come to the realization that "if it is to be, it is up to me". Well recycling offers a meaningful opportunity to make a BIG difference. When you place your morning paper in the paper recycling bin there is probably a pair of young and impressionable eyes watching you. When you finish that bottle of water or juice and you ask your child to deposit the empty into the plastic recycling bin you have succeeded on several levels. You have probably also created a teaching moment. Good for you....and Good for your child....and Good for the planet.

Many schools have started School recycling programs as educational tools and also fundraising projects. If I may I'd like to offer a few suggestions. As a parent, community leader or a regular ole champion you could volunteer to help with these programs. Each school program needs people to contribute to researching, teaching, sponsoring and implementing these programs, but more importantly the kids need good role models. So if you can....Good for you....Good for the children....and Good for the planet.

There are many resources online to help with ideas and implementation of good and valuable recycling programs for the home, school and the workplace. Some I use regularly and enjoy are: NRC-Recycle.org , Greenliving.org and Earth911.org. There are many more but these will get you inspired. And if you can't find what you are looking for please just come to our site Recycling Supply and click on contact us and we will do what we can to assist you. Just put Chuck or Neil at the beginning of your comments and that will flag it for us to respond to your request.

I would be less than genuine if I closed this article letting you believe someone else will take care of this for you. As an illustration of my earlier point the web site that underwhelmed me was the very one I thought would be just the opposite. EPA.GOV left me scratching my head and wondering why recycling would not be front and center on their site. The most useful sites as you have noticed are non-profit and grassroots efforts.

Please indulge me as I repeat myself. "If it is to be, it is up to me". Chuck and I know you are going to be part of the solution. Start Now! Good for you......Good for our children......Good for the planet.