National Recycling Day

The National Recycling Day, observed on November 15, is a dedicated day to spotlight the importance of recycling in everyday life and invite people, schools, businesses, and communities to take practical steps in reducing waste.

History of National Recycling Day

This observance traces its roots to America Recycles Day (ARD), which was first introduced in 1997 by the Keep America Beautiful alongside the National Recycling Coalition, aiming to unite recycling efforts across the United States on November 15.
From its origins as a national awareness day, ARD (also referred to as National Recycling Day) has grown into an annual call to action—urging individuals and organizations to not only recycle but to recycle more wisely, and to embed the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” mindset into daily habits.

Why is National Recycling Day important?

Recycling plays a critical role in conserving natural resources, minimizing waste and reducing pressure on landfills and incinerators. On this day we recognize that recycling isn’t simply a chore—it’s a key part of sustainable living and circular economy thinking.
Moreover, observing this day helps highlight the gap between support for recycling and actual recycling rates—in the U.S. for example, the recycling rate has risen from under 7% in the 1960s to around 32%, but there remains large potential for improvement.

• It reinforces awareness that many everyday materials (paper, metal, plastic, glass) can be diverted from waste.
• It reminds us that proper recycling habits reduce pollution and save energy.
• It invites reflection on how individual behavior scales to community and global impact.
• It strengthens the sense that recycling is more than a bin-task—it’s a collective action.
• It provides a timely trigger to rethink how we consume, dispose, and repurpose goods.

How to Celebrate (or Observe) National Recycling Day

One practical way to observe the day is to audit your home or workplace recycling: check what you recycle, what you might be missing, and commit to one improvement—whether that is separating batteries correctly, finding a vegetable oil recycling program, or reducing single-use items.
You might also engage others—host a mini-workshop or discussion about recycling in your neighborhood, share tips on social media with a recycling theme, or organize a local collection drive for items that are hard to recycle (like e-waste or textiles). The emphasis is on turning awareness into action, even if the action is small.

• Take the “I’ll recycle more wisely” pledge (many organizations offer online tools).
• Identify one item you previously put into the trash that you will now recycle correctly.
• Clear out the recycling bins and tidy them so that the items are sorted properly.
• Share a photo or tip on social media encouraging others to recycle with #AmericaRecyclesDay or #NationalRecyclingDay.
• Organize or join a local clean-up or collection event for items that often go unrecycled (electronics, batteries, textiles).

National Recycling Day Dates Table