Nov. 15 named America Recycles Day

In a corner of the small kitchen, a pile of old tests, cardboard boxes from care packages and milk cartons pile up from the last week.

In a house with five girls, the pile grows larger with every meal.

Sophie May, a sophomore living in the house, said once the jars, cans and boxes become empty they try to take away the recyclables weekly.

Nov. 15 is “America Recycles Day,” reminding and encouraging people that recycling is the first step to making the world a better place.

Elisa Pokral, media and education director of the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District, said the month of November was chosen because it is so close to the holiday season.

“People have the most waste this time of the year,” she said. “It is important that people are conscious of the trash and waste they create.”

Pokral said compared to other Indiana counties, Monroe County is more advanced.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunities that others do not have,” she said. “Monroe County has five different centers strategically placed that help people outside of the city save money.”

May and her roommates load their recyclables to discard them at the Central Recycling and Reuse Center and Hazardous Material Facility, 3400 S. Walnut St.

The center on South Walnut is the largest center in Monroe County, Pokral said.
“You have to sort out your own recyclables, but it’s free and people there are very friendly and willing to help,” May said.

In addition to the central location, Monroe County offers four rural centers throughout the area for those who live outside the city.

These centers offer many opportunities, such as the orange trash bag program and hazardous materials collections.

Pokral said the orange trash bag program was created to help save money while offering an easier way for residents to discard recycling and trash.

The trash program allows residents living in rural areas to separate their trash and recyclables. Instead of paying for trash removal each week, families can buy the orange bags at local stores and dispose of their trash themselves, according to a press release.

“People can buy the orange bags, instead of paying for the disposal company to come to their house,” she said. “It is putting money back in their pocket.”

Though Bloomington is ahead of other counties in Indiana, Pokral said there is room for improvement.

Pokral said about 70 percent of trash items contain recyclables.

The five girls in May’s house all take recycling seriously, May said.

“I think a good portion of IU students recycle,” May said. “I don’t think off-campus students recycle nearly as much as on-campus students simply because it requires a little more effort on their part.”

When shopping for Thanksgiving dinner and holiday gifts, Pokral said she recommends people be careful of what they purchase.

“We should buy things that are durable and will not hurt the environment,” she said. “Everything we do now will make sure we have the resources we need in the future.”