Get your family started recycling

(StatePoint) - In recognition of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22, 2010), now is a great time for many Americans to renew their commitment to helping protect and preserve the environment. An easy way to do this is to recycle.

Recycling can help save energy, money and land space, create new green jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By getting your whole family involved in the process, it can also be a fun way to do more to protect the environment. And it's easier than you think.

A national survey sponsored by Plastics Make it Possible, an initiative of the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council, shows that nearly 70 percent of households make an effort to recycle. Interestingly, of those homes that make recycling a priority, more than two out of three rely on the women of the house to serve as "recycling enforcers."

So, what better time than the present for moms -and dads - to get their families recycling?

"It's encouraging that a majority of Americans are making an effort to recycle at home, but there is still a huge opportunity to educate the roughly one-third who don't yet recycle," said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council. "Many plastics can be easily recycled and given a second life as carpet, clothing, furniture, backyard decks, new bottles and bags, and other products we use every day."

Here are some helpful recycling tips from Russell:

• Do Your Homework: Find out what is accepted for recycling in your area. Though recycling varies nationwide, most community programs collect plastic bottles and many large grocery chains offer bins for recycling used plastic bags and product wraps. Web sites like www.earth911.com allow you to enter your zip code to locate recycling centers closest to you.

• Check the Neck: For recycling purposes, a bottle is any container with a neck or opening smaller than its base. Be sure to put these items in your recycling bin: milk jugs and beverage bottles; bottles from shampoo, toiletries, laundry detergent and other household cleaners; bottles from salad dressing, cooking oil and condiments; and don't forget to include jars from things like peanut butter and mayonnaise.

• Bring Bottles Back to Your Bin: Many bottles and bags are used on the go, so remember to bring them back to the recycle bin. When you're out and about, store empties in a backpack or briefcase, or leave them in the car.

• Bring Bags Back to the Store: Many large grocery stores and retailers like Wal-Mart offer collection bins so you can bring back used bags and product wraps. These programs allow you to recycle plastic shopping bags, plastic newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, and bread bags (with crumbs shaken out). Even plastic wraps from paper towels, bathroom tissue, napkins, diapers and cases of soda qualify. Visit www.plasticbagrecycling.org for more information.

• Reuse: There are many ways to reuse things we often toss out. Used bags can become wet umbrella covers, suitcase savers for shoes, hand protectors when handling home messes, waste basket liners and more. Get creative with your bags and containers!

For more recycling tips, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com.