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America Recycles Day

Join the recycling revolution and make a difference on America Recycles Day - pledge to reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Sunday

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATENovember 15

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYNature

SUBCATEGORYConservation

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

America Recycles Day on November 15 is the perfect time to remind ourselves of the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling! This day was first established in 1997 as a way to promote recycling and inspire people to get involved in their local communities. Since then, it has become one of the most widely celebrated days in the United States for promoting sustainability and environmental protection. So let's join together to show our commitment to preserving our planet by participating in America Recycles Day this year!

TIMELINE

America Recycles Day Timeline

Environmental Movement

The 1960s marked the beginning of the environmental movement in the United States, raising awareness about waste management and recycling.

First Earth Day

Earth Day was first celebrated, igniting discussions around environmental issues including recycling.

Residential Curbside Recycling

Curbside recycling became widely available in the United States, allowing households the convenience of recycling with ease.

America Recycles Day Established

America Recycles Day was founded by the National Recycling Coalition to encourage and promote recycling efforts across the nation.

Millions Take Part

By 2010, America Recycles Day had grown in prominence with millions of participants pledging to recycle regularly.

Rise of Corporate Commitment

Large corporations actively started participating in recycling initiatives, promising to work toward more sustainable practices on America Recycles Day.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate America Recycles Day

Reduce your waste

Assess your daily activities and look for ways to reduce the amount of waste that you produce. This could include bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store, avoiding single-use plastics, and opting for products with less packaging.

RECYCLE

Recycle your items

Be sure to properly sort and recycle your items. Check with your local waste management department to find out what can and cannot be recycled in your area.

REUSE

Reuse items whenever possible

Look for ways to reuse items before recycling them or throwing them away. For example, plastic containers can be used for storage or plant pots, newspapers can be used for packing material, and old clothes can be donated or repurposed.

SHOP

Shop secondhand

Choose to shop secondhand when possible. Consider thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets, consignment stores, and online secondhand stores for furniture, clothing, books, toys, and more.

SUPPORT

Support eco-friendly brands

Research companies that are committed to sustainable practices and support them with your business. Look for brands that use eco-friendly packaging, use renewable energy sources, and donate a portion of their profits to environmental causes.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why America Recycles Day is Important

Recycling helps reduce pollution

When we recycle materials like paper and plastics, it helps reduce the amount of energy used in production because the new products don't require as much processing or manufacturing. This decreases the demand for coal and oil, which both contribute to pollution and environmental degradation.

Recycling prevents waste

By recycling our paper, plastic, metal and other materials, we can prevent tons of unnecessary waste from ending up in landfills. This not only helps preserve our natural resources but also reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere.

Recycling creates jobs

The process of collecting, sorting and shipping recycled materials requires employees who collect the recyclables and sell them to manufacturers. These businesses help create jobs for Americans who are then able to earn an income and contribute back to their community.

Related holidays

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Nature

National Recycling Day

Make a difference on National Recycling Day - reduce, reuse, and recycle to help protect the environment and conserve natural resources!

Global Recycling Day

An environmental advocacy day on March 18 showcasing the vital role of recycling in preserving the Earth's natural resources and securing a sustainable future.