We’ve always said that there’s strength in numbers and that it’s important to get as many people as possible in your life on board with recycling. Over time, we hear things like, “I’m just one person. Why bother recycling if I can’t make a difference on my own?”
But how can you convince those people in your life who aren’t keen on recycling to do it anyways?
Here are some tips to help you change their minds.
1) Provide the Facts
You can educate others on the impact of recycling by letting them know the scale of the difference being made.
Did you know that recycling one plastic bottle will save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for up to three hours? Sharing practical knowledge about plastic and other recyclable materials will help them put things into perspective! Additional facts you can share include:
- Recycled materials can return to the marketplace in as little as 30 days.
- It takes 5 PET bottles to make 1 square foot of polyester carpet, an extra-large t-shirt or filling for a ski jacket.
- It takes 2 plastic soft drink bottles to make enough polyester fiber for a baseball cap.
- The energy saved by recycling 1 bottle will power a computer for 25 minutes.
- Recycled plastic uses 88% less energy.
- Recycling plastic bottles reduces water consumption as new water bottles require six times the amount of water they contain to produce.
- By using a reusable water bottle, we each could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually - about 13 bottles per month.
These are big impacts with just one action so imagine how recycling as a family and network of friends could impact the world!
2) Simplify concepts
Remove the barriers for family and friends so they can get into the habit of recycling. This is where you can help them get started by doing some of the leg work for them. Putting a bin in their house, finding out the recycling collection days, and sending a reminder text the night before recycling will be picked up are easy things to do to keep others on track.
You can also look up and provide local recycling guidelines that can be useful for your friends and family. Help them learn which items in their home can be recycled by defining the different types of plastics. Many people get confused as to which plastics are recyclable, so your guide can give them a good baseline to begin with.
Another great way to help them take the initiative is by taking them to a tour at your local recycling facility or by buying books about recycling. If there are kids in the family, you can engage them by decorating your bins and creating a recycling game that teaches them which materials are recyclable.
3) Lead by example
Lastly, show your friends and family members how easy it is to recycle by your actions! Sure, facts and activities can pique their interest, but if they see you leading the way, it’s easier for others to buy into your vision. Set goals so they can see you achieve them and do things that show you appreciate the planet. Show them exactly what it is you’re trying to protect even if that means a camping trip to a national park!
Remember: recycling is a big deal, and you can make a difference.