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Volunteering
Volunteering
  1. United States Peace Corps
  2. United States Peace Corps
  3. Food Banks
  4. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
  5. Recycling
  6. Parent Teacher Associations
  7. Non-Profit Organizations
  8. Neighborhood Watch
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logo of three green curved arrows
This symbol is placed on items that can be recycled.
Courtesy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Recycling
Americans produce more trash than any other country. It’s no surprise that recycling is now required in some American communities. Recycling allows us to use items again. We can make new cans out of old cans and new paper out of old paper. Recycling has many benefits. Landfills are overflowing and are unsightly to those who live in their vicinity. Recycling reduces the amount of trash that garbage collectors dump into landfills. Recycling also allows us to conserve our natural resources. For example, when we recycle paper, we save future trees and the water that is needed to process paper products. Glass bottles, phone books, office paper, aluminum cans, and aluminum foil are just a few examples of items that can be recycled. Today, 30 percent of Americans participate in recycling programs. Families, schools, and businesses now recycle many items including cans, bottles, and newspapers. People separate trash into special recycling trash cans that garbage collectors take to recycling plants. Recycling programs are mandatory in many American communities and fines are imposed on residents who do not recycle. Often families and clubs collect cans and bottles to earn money. Community members can redeem these items at special machines and recycling centers.
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