Did you know that the US makes up about 4% of the world’s population but produces 12% of its trash? According to the EPA, the average American throws away 4.4 pounds of trash each day, which is almost twice as much as the global average. Americans generate about 700,000 pounds of trash a day – that’s enough to fill 60,000 garbage trucks! Furthermore, as landfill waste decomposes, it produces greenhouse gases like methane, which are detrimental to the environment and contribute to global warming.
On America Recycles Day, we’re asked to recognize the importance and impact of recycling, which not only supports a clean and healthy environment, but also reduces energy consumption and creates jobs. An EPA study found that recycling and reuse activities in the United States accounted for 681,000 jobs and $37.8 billion in wages. The City of Santa Fe encourages every Santa Fean to contribute by recycling right, not only on America Recycles Day, but all year long.
The City of Santa Fe’s Environmental Services Division (ESD) is constantly working to educate our community about the importance of responsibly managing our waste--through ESD’s monthly radio shows on 99.9 FM, digital and print advertisements about recycling right at public locations around town, and calendars that are mailed annually to residents. Our goal is to make sure everyone knows how to recycle right. You can learn to recycle right by finding the “What goes where?” tool by visiting our website and selecting “Recycling Information” or by downloading the free app called Recycle Coach. When you recycle in Santa Fe, it goes to the Buckman Road Recycling and Transfer Station, where it is processed and sold by a woman-and minority-owned business.
Keep Santa Fe Beautiful (KSFB) also works to raise awareness about litter prevention, reducing waste, and keeping our community beautiful. A nonprofit volunteer program, KSFB partners with ESD and the Parks Division to conduct city-wide litter clean-up events. KSFP is always looking for volunteers to help run special events, fundraisers, and other programs – sign up here.