Focus on recycling facts.

It's a mantra even schoolchildren know. But how effective are recycling programs really, and what can you do to ensure you're helping to protect the environment and reduce landfills?

Curbside pickups and single-stream recycling have made the reduction of landfill materials pretty darn easy. But that doesn't mean you no longer have to think about what and how you recycle.

By reducing your exposure to some of the worst chemicals in cleaning ingredients, Since we started mass-producing plastic in our society, billions of tons of it have been produced — and billions of tons are not recycled. National Geographic estimates that 91% of plastic is not recycled. Plastic takes about 400 years to break down, and it's predicted that by 2050, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish.2

However, there are steps you can take to reduce your contribution to plastic pollution. Below we've listed just a few.

• Always bring reusable bags when you shop.

• Don't buy plastic bottles of water! Reusable containers are the way to go.

• Refuse a straw when you order a drink at a restaurant, or carry your own reusable straw (many can be ordered with a carrying bag and their own cleaning brushes).

To find your local recycling guidelines, use Google or call 311 to get an up-to-date list of recyclables accepted in your town and find the location of drop-off recycle centers. For unusual or more complicated questions, visit Earth 911 and enter what you're trying to recycle and your zip code to find specialty recycling centers near you.

You really can make a difference, but in order to help, it's important to recycle the right way (yes, there is definitely a right way!).

Recycled materials should be free of food waste. Scrape them before recycling. (This includes pizza boxes — if they're saturated in grease, in the garbage they go!)

Only put true recyclables in the recycle bin. When in doubt, throw it out.

Do not put plastic bags in recycling bins! Bring them to designated collection sites at your local supermarket or big box store.

Don't recycle electronics. Although parts are made of plastic and metal, when together, they need a different treatment.

Composting and recycling are not the same thing.

Do not put your recyclables in garbage bags. They should be loose for easier sorting.

Check the number inside the recycle symbol on your plastic items against your local recycling guide. Just because there's a number doesn't mean it's automatically recyclable.

Request sidewalk trash and recycling bins from your city to be placed on streets with high walking traffic.

Remember that reduce and reuse come before recycle.

---

Reducing your household waste and purchasing reusable items can help you save money on your monthly budget. Looking to do more? Let's discuss funding for green home improvements that will help you save on all your monthly bills!

---

1 EPA.gov, 2 Wasterecycling.org, 3 Waste Management Inc.

This letter is for information purposes only and is not an advertisement to extend customer credit as defined by Section 12 CFR 1026.2 Regulation Z. Program rates, terms and conditions are subject to change at any time.