Sheri Bowyer

Some of us often wonder what the benefit is for “me” to recycle. Who cares, right? Simply put, the benefits of recycling effect each of us in different ways. It just depends on which benefit is most important to you. Once you have figured that out, recycling is a no brainer. Most important, however, is that we can make a positive impactin our own community by doing something that’s simple. If you know how to put your trash in a can, then you can learn how to recycle.

For those of us who find it hip to be green, recycling is easy to do and has many environmental benefits. It reduces the need to build landfillsand conserves natural resources as well as energy. Recycling reduces pollution caused by the extraction and processing of raw materials as well as the manufacturing of products using raw materials. Recycling, in fact, is one of the nation’s best environmental success stories. In 2007, Americans recycled about 85 million tons of municipal solid waste. That’s more than double the amount recycled in 1990 according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Can you imagine if all of that ended up in our landfills? If being green doesn’t strike your fancy, maybe money will. There are economic benefits torecycling too. You can turn your trash into cash! Recycling turns items that otherwise would become waste into valuable resources, many of which you probably use every day. The recyclables you take to drop off centers like the one at Kern River Valley Recycling Center, end up on the market as commodities that are bought and sold. Of course companies have to make these new products, therefore there are numerous jobs created by our act of recycling.

Finally, if you have wondered how you can make a difference in our community and in the world, recycling is an easy way to start. Begin separating your recyclables from your trash today and see for yourself how many itemsyou can recycle. It truly is an eye opening experience. Some of us can actually reduce our landfill waste in half, if not more!

R-E-C-Y-C-L-E. It begins with you and me. To find out more information on how to recycle visit www.thomasrefuse.us or contact Thomas Refuse Service at 760-379-2618. Please forward all recycling questions or comments to sheri@thomasrefuse.us.