America Recycles Day has been celebrated on November 15 every year since 1997. The purpose of America Recycles Day is to encourage Americans to support recycling in our country by increasing their recycling efforts.

One of the best things we can do for recycling is to make sure we purchase recycled products. Recycled products look and perform the same as those made from virgin materials. Prices for recycled products are becoming competitive with non-recycled products. And it's getting easier and easier to find recycled products and packaging.

Instead of focusing all of our efforts on one day, the America Recycles effort has recently been broadened to incorporate actions throughout the year. In Indiana, communities typically hold America Recycles events and activities in the fall and winter.

NATIONAL

Visit the America Recycles web site and pledge to recycle more!

INDIANA

There are two projects on a statewide level to celebrate America Recycles:

K-8th Grade Poster Contest (January 7, 2008 deadline)

Cell Phone Recycling Drive

LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Local communities often have their own efforts coordinated by the solid waste management district or another recycling-related organization. Click here to see if there is a local event in your area.

If you are organizing a local America Recycles activity, scroll down for more information and to submit your event to our list.

Statewide K-8th Grade Poster Contest

K-8th grade students in Indiana are invited to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to the environment by participating in the America Recycles Poster Contest. All K-8th grade students in Indiana's public and private schools, home school groups, and youth organizations are eligible.

This poster contest will help us to promote recycling and buying recycled products and packaging.

The Indiana winners receive the honor of having their artwork displayed on the Indiana Recycling Coalition's web site until next year's contest. The winners will also receive prizes for their efforts.

Posters must be received no later than Monday, January 7, 2008.

Contest rules and details (pdf)

Release form required with each entry (pdf)

Statewide Cell Phone Recycling Drive

Your old, unwanted cell phones can be reused or recycled! The Indiana Recycling Coalition is kicking off a cell phone recycling drive on November 15.  Our goal is to collect at least 2,007 cell phones by January 31, 2008.

If you'd like to help us by having a collection at your workplace, school, church, or organization, please visit our cell phone recycling page for more information.

If you have less than 50 phones to donate, we can mail you posteage paid mailers to send them into the recycing center. One phone per mailer. Please email us your name and address with the number of mailers you'd like to receive.

For Local America Recycles Activity Coordinators

AMERICA RECYCLES COORDINATOR TOOL KIT

This tool kit (pdf) has been put forth by the National America Recycles organization that includes (among other things):
- sample press releases
- tips to get media coverage
- tips for successful events
- pledge cards (people can also pledge online at the national website)

LOCAL EVENT SUBMISSION

If you are planning a local America Recycles event, please email the IRC about your event as soon as possible and it will be posted to our website. Fill in "Not applicable" as appropriate. (If you are having trouble with the form, click here to e-mail directly)