Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you know about how important it is to lessen your impact on the environment. Your health depends on the health of the environment and there are many ways that you can negatively affect it. For example, if you use chemical products in your home or outdoors, at least some of it is going to eventually wash down into a roadside drain, into rivers and other waterways, polluting the water. While hi vac services can help remove debris, liquids, sludge and solids that buildup inside, water pollution can still result.

One of the simplest things you can do to help the environment is to recycle. Recycling uses old products and waste products, converting them to new, usable products, which means saving resources and sending less trash to landfills as well as reducing water and air pollution. Just one example, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is that outdoor air pollution has been linked to bronchitis, heart attacks, asthma and premature mortality, but the list of negative effects that can result from an unhealthy environment is extremely long.

Of course, even if you understand how important recycling is, that doesn’t mean that all your neighbors do. Have you ever watched one of them throw a bag filled with obviously recyclable items into the trash? There probably isn’t anyone who could say they haven’t witnessed that at one point or another. Instead of just shaking your head, consider these ways to encourage more people in your community recycle.

Communication Through Newsletters, Newspapers, Social Media and More

These days there are countless ways to get the word out about anything. Utilize them to encourage your community to recycle. Write a piece for a community newsletter, send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, get out the word on all the social media networks you use – if you community or city has a Facebook page, Twitter and/or Instagram, take advantage of them all. Nextdoor.com is a site specifically for specific communities throughout the U.S. that can be a great way to motivate your neighbors. You can explain the benefits of recycling, information about what can be recycled and how, as well as metrics of success such as the amount of recycling that’s done month-to-month and year-to-year.

Organize Cleanups

You can make a significant positive impact in your community, and for the planet, by organizing cleanup events. Ask people in your area to volunteer to help improve the community by picking up trash, including recyclable items. You might also set up at a location in your town, placing collection bins at a place like a police or fire station parking lot. So many people are so busy these days, the only way some will recycle is if it’s made easier.

Volunteer to Speak at Local Schools

If children learn to recycle at an early age, they’re likely to keep up the habit throughout their lives – and, if they get excited about it, that can spread to their parents and other relatives too. Reach out to your local schools for approval and advice on how to plan the event.