Conserving energy use on the planet and creating more eco-friendly processes have become one of the main focuses across the board in recent years. One of the most common, and perhaps one of the first methods used to help conserve the environment and save energy, is recycling.

Recycling helps to reuse excess material, resources and energy output that could be lost as waste. It can greatly reduce air pollution, water pollution, and the use of fresh raw materials. With a 30% national recycling rate, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions that equal the removal of about 25 million cars from the road.

In a typical household, there are many items that are simply thrown into the garbage that could be recycled. Plastic bags from grocery or retail stores are easier to recycle than paper bags, and require less energy to produce. About 25 million trees could be saved annually if the average American recycled about 10% of their newspapers. In addition, the number of soda bottles and cans that Americans throw out instead of recycle, are enough to travel to the moon and back 20 times.

If you want to help and make sure that you are doing your part for the environment, but you are not sure what to recycle, talk to waste management services that offer recycling services as well. They will give you a separate bin where you can put all your paper, plastic recycle items, and metal products, and they can even provide you with a list of what to recycle, and what cannot be recycled. They will usually pick up the recycling along with your garbage, as long as you place your recycling bin out with your garbage bin.

With the significant impact recycling has on keeping the environment healthy and clean, it is important to begin this process as soon as possible. You will be helping the growing global sustainability movement, and do your part as an active, involved citizen. Find more.