5 Little-Known Recyclable Items to Recycle on America Recycles Day

America Recycles Day, aka National Recycling Day, is a day the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has dedicated to promoting the impact and importance of recycling. We celebrate it on November 15 each year, and it's a day to reflect and consider what we can do to reduce waste and recycle more in our lives.

While most businesses are aware of the ability to recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum cans, there are several other items that you might be surprised are recyclable. Let's take a look at these little-known recyclable items to help your organization decrease unnecessary waste even more.

5 Things You Should Recycle on America Recycles Day

Here are five things your business should consider recycling on America Recycles Day this year.

1. Textiles

At this point, we've all heard about how harmful fast fashion is to our environment. Each year, 92 million tons of textiles are sent to our already overflowing landfills, even though 95% of all textile waste is 100% recyclable. Even worse, those textiles take more than 200 years to break down.

That's why businesses should consider recycling textiles instead of throwing them in the trash. The easiest way to get rid of clothing and textiles sustainably is by donating them. If the textiles are at the end of life, you can still recycle them with an approved recycler. Keep in mind that textiles don't just refer to clothing; they also include blankets, towels, tablecloths, curtains, bedding, and more.

2. Candles

Did you know that candles can be recycled? And not just the glass container—the wicks, glass, wax, tin cover, label, and cardboard packaging can all be recycled. But keep in mind that, most of the time, you can't just toss the whole candle in the recycling bin (unless your municipality has a candle recycling program in place). Instead, you'll have to source-separate the candle and recycle the different parts.

For example, you can save all your partially used candles and scrape out the wax, then combine and melt it together to create a new candle. Candle vessels make excellent receptacles for different items, from pens and pencils to sand and seashells. Alternatively, you can just clean and recycle the glass containers and tin lids rather than tossing them.

For businesses with large quantities of unsellable candle stock, recycling candles with CheckSammy's simplified candle recycling solution and debranding services helps you preserve brand reputation before your candles are recycled or donated.

3. Soft Plastic

Most people know that hard plastic can be recycled, but soft plastic can be recycled, too. Soft plastic is used on things like chip bags, cling wrap, and pasta packaging. It's crinkly and soft. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of thinking that since they can't toss it in their normal recycling bin, it isn't recyclable—which isn't the case.

Businesses can utilize designated soft plastic recycling drop-off spots around the country that allow you to drop off your soft plastic waste. Organizations can also take advantage of CheckSammy's Mailback Program — it's an easy way for you to collect soft plastic waste and ship it via a prepaid shipping label for recycling.

4. Beauty Products

An astounding 70% of the packaging used in skincare and beauty products ends up in landfills. As the beauty and skincare industry has exploded in recent years, we're starting to see an uptick in its environmental footprint. Thankfully, most beauty and skincare containers are completely recyclable. Beauty and skincare businesses can implement a recycling program to ensure reusable containers don't end up in landfills.

5. Old Corrugated Containers (OCC)

You may have never heard the term “Old Corrugated Containers,” but you definitely know what they are. OCC is commonly referred to as cardboard. And while our cardboard recycling rates are higher than some of the other things on this list, they're still hovering at around 69%. As online shopping habits increase, our need to recycle cardboard becomes even more significant. Whether businesses are using large or small quantities of OCC, dry cardboard can be affordably recycled thanks to CheckSammy's local-first approach. Our sustainable recycling solutions minimize logistical and transport costs by using local recycling facilities in your region.

How to Make an Impact on America Recycles Day

One of the most impactful ways businesses can celebrate America Recycles Day is by conducting a waste audit. A waste audit helps companies identify inefficiencies in their waste streams, uncover recycling opportunities, and implement more sustainable waste management practices. By analyzing what's being discarded, businesses can reduce landfill contributions, cut costs, and improve their environmental footprint.

At CheckSammy, we provide comprehensive waste audits that give businesses the data and insights needed to develop customized sustainability solutions. From optimizing recycling programs to finding responsible ways to dispose of hard-to-recycle materials, we handle the logistics so your business can focus on sustainability with confidence.

Make this America Recycles Day count — book a consultation with CheckSammy today and take the first step toward a greener future!