Recycling

Recycling is important to the environment because it saves energy and landfill space, and conserves precious natural resources.

The average person in Mississippi throws away 3.5 to 4 pounds of garbage a day. The entire population of Mississippi throws away a total of 2.4 million pounds of waste each year, which is equivalent to 1,800 football fields 6 feet deep in garbage. In 1990, Mississippi had over 120 landfills across the state, but today, we have less than 20 servicing the entire state.

What can be recycled?

Aluminum and Steel Cans
Plastic Soda and Milk Bottles
Clear, Green, and Brown Glass
Cardboard
Newspapers
Telephone Books
Motor Oil

There are many places throughout the state which recycle these items. By contacting your local recycling coordinator, you can do your part to help the environment and protect many of Mississippi's natural resources.

What is being made from these recyclable materials?

Old newspapers are made into new newspapers, cereal boxes and egg cartons.

Cardboard boxes are being made into new cardboard boxes.

Aluminum cans are melted and turned into new aluminum products such as new aluminum cans or parts of airplanes or cars.

Tin cans (they're really steel cans) are melted and made into new steel products such as new steel cans or parts of cars or trucks.

Plastic milk and soda bottles are shredded and made into plastic lumbar for picnic tables, playground equipment, plastic fiber insulation for winter jackets and plastic fiber for carpet.

Glass bottles, which are made from sand, are crushed and melted to make new glass bottles and formed to make bathroom or kitchen tiles. Some glass is even used to make asphalt for roads.

Used motor oil can also be recycled and used again.

Composting is also a very good way to recycle everyday garbage. Just pick a space in your yard, and place leaves, yard clippings and household food wastes on this pile. After a few months, you will have great fertilizer for you yard and garden. Be sure not to place meat in this pile, this will attract rodents and other animals.

Buy Recycled!

One of the best ways to ensure the success of recycling is to purchase goods that are made of recycled materials.

It is easy to tell if an item has been made from recycled material, just look for the recycling emblem.

Please remember that the earth you use today is the earth you must help preserve for future generations. Many of our natural resources are quickly depleting, and it is up to you to help.

KMB/PAL can answer questions or speak to community organizations and schools about recycling.

It has been proven that many of America's natural resources are being depleted. As a result, recycling is being used by more and more cities across the country to curb the problems of our dwindling natural resources.

If you are interested, you can become a member of the Mississippi Recycling Coalition(MRC).