Today is America Recycles Day, when everyone is reminded to recycle and buy recycled products.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans generated about 250 million tons of trash in 2010 but recycled or composted only 85 million tons of that for a 34% recycling rate.

That works out to each individual generating 4.4 pounds of waste per day with only 1.5 pounds being recycled or composted.
Many communities have events planned to mark America Recycles Day. In Chadron, Keep Chadron Beautiful has given Thank You notes to the businesses and organizations that participate in the group’s Cardboard and Paper Recycling program.

Director of Recycling Derek Swedin says the local response to the recycling program amazing: 75 participants who so far this year have recycled more than 39,000 pounds of white office paper and over 113,000 pounds of corrugated cardboard.

He says the cardboard total would be even bigger except that two big users of cardboard – Wal-Mart and Safeway – recycle it themselves. He also says the number of participating businesses and groups would almost certainly be bigger if KCB had more money to do more pickups.

In Alliance, Keep Alliance Beautiful is marking America Recycles Day with a special Go Green insert in the Alliance Times Herald today and a free 3-R…Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…Fair this Saturday from 9-1 in the Alliance Performing Arts Center.

The mission of the 3-R’s fair is to educate people on the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling with the theme “Building a Better Life With You.

There will be vendors with items made from recycled materials, information booths, demonstration tables, crafts, activities, games, and entertainment…including a Reused Clothing Fashion Show at 10:25 and a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Magic Show at 11:40.

There will be free electronics recycling, courtesy of Samsung, and KCOW Radio will broadcast live from the 3-R’s Fair from 9-to-11.