Facts About Reusing & Recycling

Reuse and recycling protect finite resources and keep the environment safe. By reusing items and/or donating them, you can help keep the environment habitable for all--and save money, too.

History

From handing down clothes to siblings to turning in aluminum cans for a nickel per can, reuse and recycling has been an important part of American culture for many years.

Benefits

If you are passing clothes or toys from one child to the next, you save money. If you are donating them, you can sometimes write that off on your taxes.

Considerations

When thinking about whether to reuse or recycle, ask yourself these questions: If it is electronic does it still work? Is it too old for anyone else to want? If you're not sure, check with your state's Department of Environment or Natural Resources and try to recycle it.

Potential

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling helps increase manufacturing jobs, reduces landfilling and incineration, prevents pollution, saves energy, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves natural resources such as wood, water and minerals (see Resources).

Fun Fact

In 2007, 254 million tons of waste was produced. Of that, 85 million tons was either recycled or composted.

Resources

• EPA Reuse and Recycling Page