Jack Johnson sang it best in his song “The 3 R’s”. Reduce, reuse, recycle. This is how to live a more sustainable life, and leave a smaller carbon footprint. First, try to reduce the amount of waste you produce. Second, reuse items as much as possible. Third, recycle appropriate waste products as to have them not end up in our oceans or atmosphere.

November 15 is America Recycles Day. Each year millions of people across the U.S. take part in bringing awareness to the importances of recycling and creating less waste on our beautiful planet. Help teach others the benefits of recycling and continue to do so each day.

How you can participate:

• Reduce

• • Lose the single use items and invest in reusable ones. Whether it’s changing from plastic shopping bags to cloth bags, disposable water bottles to those from companies like Camelbak and Nalgene, or to-go paper coffee cups to ceramic mugs or aluminum travel mugs, there are hundreds of options to reduce your impact on the world.

• Reuse

• • When reducing what items you use is not a viable option, you should reuse them! Try reusable containers for lunch, rather than brown paper bags. Repair items rather than buying new ones, or shop at thrift shops. There is almost always some alternative option to buying new.

• Recycle

• • If single use items must be a part of your day, then recycle. Papers, plastics, or aluminum can be recycled and made into new products, so try to do your part. You can also try to buy products that are made from those recycled goods.

Small changes in your day and your habits can have huge impacts on the world around you. Here’s how:

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming
• Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and combustion facilities.
• Conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals.
• Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials.
• Saves energy