Blog Home

Today, April 22nd, marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day! Do you remember what you were doing when Earth Day began in 1970? Earth Day in 1970 "capitalized on the emerging consciousness, channeling the energy of the anti-war protest movement and putting environmental concerns front and center", stated Earth Day.org. Fast forward 45 years and what you have today, is a global movement recognizing the importance of Mother Nature, the fight for a clean environment and showing respect for the conservation of our planet. Earth Day is a wonderful time to celebrate our beloved planet and raise awareness of the need to respect, protect and love it. Not only is it celebrated in the United States, it's now become one of the most nationally recognized events in the world.

Have you ever thought that oil prices and recycling could have a connection? Since recent oil prices have significantly dropped, it's putting a crunch on the recycling industry. As crude oil prices continue to crash, the result makes it cheaper for plastic companies to use new or virgin materials versus the goods you can recycle. Recycled plastics prices are extremely low, and for some waste management companies or local government affiliates, they are now having to pay to have their materials removed.

Vermont once again made the news this week, as non-profit organization Call2Recycle, North America's first and largest battery stewardship program will submit to Vermont regulators, a plan for the collection and recycling of single-use batteries. The non-profit group announced "it had been selected by battery producers to represent them in complying with the nation's first mandatory take-back law for single-use batteries."

This year's Earth Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 22nd and marks the 45th anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement which began in 1970. Earth Day is a world wide recognized event that gives everyone around the globe, the chance to honor mother earth and come together to show commitment, activism and support to our environment.

Electronic waste or e-waste is any discarded electronic or electrical device. Many of these devices are classified as office electronic equipment, old computers, televisions, mobile phones and even refrigerators. Did you know that an estimated 50 million tons of e-waste in produced every year? The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled, the remaining number sadly ends up in our landfills and incinerators.

When Vermont makes headlines it always excites us. Especially when the news pertains to important issues such as renewable energy and composting. These topics are not only important to Vermont, they are vital to the way our state functions and grows.

Keep America Beautiful is the nation's leading nonprofit that brings people together to build and sustain vibrant communities. With the help of volunteers throughout communities all over the country, Keep America Beautiful networks those involved to help turn public spaces into beautiful places.