Does Recycling Really Help?

We’ve heard it a thousand times - Reduce, reuse, recycle. 

And we try! As a society, people have come a long way in working together to build a stronger, better tomorrow. And we’re still continuing to make strides. From shifting to green energy to power our houses to choosing local fruits and vegetables over food shipped in, we’ve certainly become more conscious of the small steps we can make to show some love to our planet.

Still, we’re missing the mark when it comes to recycling. In fact, only about 32% of our trash gets recycled. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Confusion about what to recycle, and how (make sure to read to the end for links to East End town recycling guides)

2. Inconvenience and a lack of access to recycling facilities

3. A shortage of time

4. Lack of space to accommodate recyclables

5. People simply forgetting to recycle 

6. A lack of trust in recycling programs

7. No legal ramifications

We hate to say it, but money is also a factor. At the end of the day, if there isn’t a profitable market for recycled materials, they get turned into trash. So even when consumers think they’re recycling, the materials sometimes still end up in the landfill.

So with all these challenges, is it worth it to recycle? We think so! Here’s why…

For the environment, recycling:

• Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators.

• Conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals.

• Prevents pollution and reduces greenhouse gasses by reducing the need to mine and process new raw materials.

For the economy, recycling:

• Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials.

• Saves energy.

And for communities, recycling:

Supports American manufacturing and conserves valuable resources.

Helps create jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States.

So keep recycling at home and at your place of business, and supporting companies who use recycled materials. 

To help with this, we’ve compiled a list of our local municipalities and their recycling guides:

East Hampton

Riverhead

Shelter Island

Southampton

Southold

We know our recycling systems aren’t perfect, but they’re a huge step in the right direction. Let’s continue to work together to protect the nature of the place you love by recycling!