Hank Dewald, Daily Herald Staff Writer

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ROANOKE RAPIDS – With the election finally over and the economy continuing to be the focus of most of the world, North Carolina is hoping to turn America Recycles Day into a month-long effort to increase awareness and participation, saving millions of dollars and diminishing the production of greenhouse gasses.

These days recycling is sometimes an afterthought but during the Great Depression and the years of World War II, it was a way of life. Many people think that attitude is needed today.

Nov. 15 is the official America Recycles Day, but Gov. Mike Easley and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are hoping North Carolinians will respond by increasing recycling efforts throughout the state.

The DENR recently challenged local governments to improve the performance of their local programs in order to reach the goal of “2 Million tons by 2012.”

In order to meet this challenge- local government recycling programs would need to increase their performance by 48 percent from the July 1, 2007 baseline, representing about a 10 percent improvement per year.

“North Carolinians dispose of approximately 11 million tons of waste in landfills each year, much of which can be recycled,” said Kelly Dennings, education and outreach coordinator for the N.C. Division of Pollution and Prevention and Environmental Assistance. “We hope that this annual event reminds people to recycle at home, at work and while out and about.”

America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. Celebrating its 11th year, it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home, work and to buy products made with recycled materials.

Through America Recycles Day, the National Recycling Coalition supports local communities and raises awareness by educating citizens about the benefits of recycling.

America Recycles Day coordinators are positioned throughout the country and work to organize recycling awareness events in their schools and communities, and in conjunction with their local municipalities.

Some of the recycling facts that can be found on their Web site show just how far this country has come through relatively small efforts, and also just how much more can be done. For instance, 20 years ago, there were only 1,000 curbside recycling programs throughout the U.S. Today, there are more than 10,000 programs scattered across the nation.

One glaring example of how much further the country has to go towards the 2012 goal is that 2.2 million tons of unwanted electronics are thrown out in this country each year, with 80 percent of that waste going into landfills.

The organization is encouraging all Americans to take what they call, “the Recycling Pledge.” For more information on America Recycles Day and the National Recycling Coalition, log onto www.americarecyclesday.org or www.nrc-recycle.org.

Recycling Pledge

• I pledge to find out what materials I can and cannot recycle in my community.

• I pledge to lead by example in my neighborhood by recycling.

• I pledge to recycle batteries, cell phones and other electronic waste. Find an e-waste facility near me.

• I pledge to e-mail my elected officials to ask them to increase funding for my community's recycling programs.

• I pledge to tell five friends that recycling is the easiest thing they can do to slow global warming. E-mail friends.