Dramatic improvements in recycling technology and collection systems over the years have made recycling easier than ever, and community-based recycling programs are sprouting up everywhere. Establishing one near you can be a fun, rewarding process.
First, check the availability of recycling services in your area. Cities with populations greater than 20,000 usually either have their own recycling centers or share such resources with nearby towns, meaning a processing center should never be too far. Pickup services vary from city to city, but most are free of charge and happen at regularly scheduled intervals, usually once a week. Pickups have gotten even more convenient in many places with the advent of single-stream recycling, which allows folks to skip the tedious sorting process and toss all of their recyclable paper, plastic, glass and metal products into a single curbside bin.
Learning about local recycling options is often the easy part. Not everyone is convinced that recycling works, and persuading the neighbors can take work. If so inclined, publish some simple leaflets touting the advantages of recycling for distribution around the neighborhood and talk face-to-face with anyone who will listen. It might take time, but the planet will be better off for it.