Celebrating America Recycles Day and our recycling achievements

♻️ 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 - 𝟭𝟬 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟲 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 This week is National Recycling Week, a major Planet Ark campaign that encourages everyone to reduce, reuse and recycle. Here are three quick tips you can use at home or at work: 👉 Check your bins and make sure you are recycling the right items. 👉 Reuse packaging or materials before you throw them out. 👉 Get your team or family involved so small actions can add up. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gj2Cv4U #JoinTheCycle

Michigan’s iconic “bottle bill” has made the state a recycling leader for nearly fifty years, but return rates have recently dropped to an all-time low. ♻️ A new report from the UM-Center for Sustainable Systems explores how Michigan can modernize its deposit system and rebuild its recycling momentum.

The Power of Small Actions: Embracing America Recycles Day Every year on November 15th, America Recycles Day serves as a timely reminder that environmental progress doesn't require grand, sweeping changes—it starts with the accumulated impact of small, consistent habits. While large-scale policies and innovations play a critical role in sustainability, the everyday choices we make, from sorting our waste properly to choosing reusable products, pave the way for meaningful change. This day encourages individuals to recognize the power of their contributions in the bigger picture. Supporting organizations like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emphasize the importance of community engagement and education. Empowering people with knowledge about recycling processes and benefits not only increases participation but fosters a sense of responsibility towards the environment. When communities unite around shared goals, their collective actions can dramatically improve recycling rates and reduce landfill waste. From my perspective, what’s truly inspiring about America Recycles Day is its message that everyone’s effort counts. It breaks down the misconception that recycling is only effective if done on a massive scale by companies or governments. Instead, it highlights the ripple effect of small acts—each bottle, paper, or plastic item properly recycled helps conserve resources, lower pollution, and protect wildlife habitats. Moreover, the day underscores the importance of consistency. Recycling isn’t a one-time act but a lifelong commitment. Developing habits like checking local recycling guidelines, reducing contamination by rinsing containers, and minimizing single-use plastics help build a sustainable lifestyle. The more ingrained these habits become, the easier it is for individuals to contribute meaningfully without adding complexity to their daily lives. In conclusion, America Recycles Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a call to action that reminds us every individual has a role in protecting our planet. Small, deliberate actions, when combined, create a powerful force for environmental stewardship. Embracing recycling as an ongoing practice empowers us all to be part of a cleaner, greener future. Let this day inspire you to adopt and maintain habits that truly add up.

Happy America Recycles Day! ♻️ We commissioned a survey to explore the state of recycling behaviors across the country in our 2025 WM Recycling Report to better understand gaps and barriers across the recycling system. We learned: ♻️ Consumer-reported recycling is on the rise. ♻️ Consumers are keenly interested in supporting companies that use recycled materials in their products. ♻️ Americans want to make a difference through recycling and care about the role companies play in driving sustainability. ♻️ Environmental well-being and shared responsibility are primary drivers for recycling. And so much more! Download the full report: https://bit.ly/4qZFAYK

♻️ Sales Strategy Meets Sustainability Waste Management’s America Recycles Day initiative is more than a celebration of recycling—it’s a powerful reminder of how values-driven action creates measurable impact. As a Strategic Sales Coach, I see a direct parallel between sustainability and sales growth: both require consistent habits, clear messaging, and alignment with what truly matters to your audience. 🔑 Three lessons sales leaders can take from this campaign: - Lead with purpose. Waste Management isn’t just talking about recycling; they’re commissioning activities that engage communities. In sales, leading with purpose means showing prospects how your solution improves their world, not just their bottom line. - Educate and empower. Recycling initiatives thrive when people understand the “why” behind the action. Likewise, sales teams succeed when they educate buyers—helping them make informed decisions instead of pushing products. - Celebrate progress. America Recycles Day highlights collective wins. In sales, recognizing milestones (new accounts, improved conversion rates, stronger relationships) builds momentum and keeps teams motivated. 🌍 The takeaway: Sustainability and sales both thrive on trust, consistency, and shared values. When organizations align their mission with customer priorities, they don’t just close deals—they build lasting partnerships. 👏 Kudos to Waste Management for reminding us that progress is a team effort. Let’s challenge ourselves as sales professionals to recycle old habits that no longer serve us, and invest in strategies that create long-term value—for our clients, our companies, and our communities.

♻️ Seen this before? I took this photo at a busy retail food chain last week — a waste station with only General Waste. The irony? Most people using it were trying to do the right thing. They had cups, bottles, packaging — all recyclable items — but nowhere to put them. This is the other side of wishcycling. We often talk about people putting the wrong things in recycling bins. But what about when the system doesn’t even give them the option to recycle? When recycling isn’t made visible or simple, even the most sustainability-minded customers end up contributing to landfill. Small design decisions — like the absence of one bin — have massive downstream impact. How can we expect better recycling rates if the system isn’t set up for people to succeed?

Oregon has opened the first of its new recycling drop-off centers, part of the state’s ongoing rollout of its EPR for packaging program. The state expects to open more than 140 centers to collect harder-to-recycle items not accepted curbside. https://lnkd.in/eXErUF3f

The state just opened its first recycling drop-off center under its new EPR for packaging program — the first of 140+planned sites to collect hard-to-recycle materials not accepted curbside. A great example of how producer responsibility can expand recycling options and infrastructure for everyone. At EPR Decoded, we help brands, designers, and producers understand what programs like Oregon’s mean for their packaging — and how to stay compliant across all EPR states. 👉 Follow EPR Decoded for clear, state-by-state insights on packaging EPR implementation, or contact us to learn how we can help your business get ready. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eXErUF3f #EPRDecoded #EPR #Recycling #CircularEconomy #PackagingDesign #Compliance Diversion Strategies

It’s National Recycling Week, and it’s never too late to take meaningful action. Founded by our long-standing partner Planet Ark, this week is a reminder that every material has value when we keep it in use - not in landfill. At Close the Loop, we’re proud to work with councils, schools, brands, manufacturers, and communities across Australia who share one mission: reduce waste, recover resources, and create real circular outcomes. How you can participate this week (and every week): • Return used printer cartridges via participating retail drop-offs (Cartridges 4 Planet Ark) • Recycle batteries and e-waste at approved collection points • Choose products made with recycled content • Support take-back, refill, and reuse programs in your local area Circularity only works when everyone plays their part. Let’s keep valuable materials where they belong - in circulation, supporting new products, infrastructure, and a healthier planet. Join the cycle. Close the loop. Learn more via Planet Ark → https://lnkd.in/gj2Cv4U #NationalRecyclingWeek #PlanetArk #JointheCycle #CircularEconomy #RecyclingWeek #ClosetheLoop

Our mission is simple: Recycle better. Reward communities. Protect the planet. 🌍 It began with a simple question — where does our recycling actually go? After discovering that a huge amount of recyclable material in Australia still ends up in landfill, we knew there had to be a smarter way. ♻️ WISE Recycling Co was built to close that gap — collecting, sorting, and ensuring materials are properly recycled through verified partners. But we didn’t stop there. We wanted to make recycling rewarding, so we created a subscription model that gives members local incentives like free coffees, spa vouchers, and discounts from community businesses that share our sustainability goals. 🌱 #WISERecyclingCo #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #RecyclingInnovation #WasteManagement #CleanFuture #GreenBusiness