We’re mere days away from America Recycles Day here in the U.S.– the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States – so we wanted to highlight what we’re doing at S&G to help keep the planet clean and green.
All cardboard, no plastic
At S&G, we care about our impact on the planet. That’s why all of our packaging – from eucalyptus sheets to eucalyptus comforters and duvet covers – is made from 100% recyclable cardboard.
Our packaging is also 100% plastic-free. No vacuum seal, no plastic ties, no bubble wrap. We don’t even put those little green army guys in our packaging anymore.
By buying from S&G, you’re helping keep both plastic and cardboard out of landfills. So, to all of our customers, we just want to say, thank you for giving a sheet. It means a lot to us.
So, why is plastic bad?
According to the EPA, landfills received 26.8 million tons of plastic in 2017, comprising nearly 20 percent of all landfill waste.
Tragic plastic facts:
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More than 300 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide every year.
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Almost every piece of plastic ever made still exists. If Shakespeare drank a bottle of Poland Spring in 1570, it wouldn’t fully decompose until sometime this year.
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As plastics break down in the ocean, they form microplastics which are eaten by marine animals, which are in turn eaten by humans. In fact, the average human can consume up to 74,000 microplastics per year. That’s far too many in our book.
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Plastic decomposition releases a toxic chemical known as BPA, which can disrupt normal hormone function and cause reproductive harm.
For these reasons (and more), we will continue to keep virgin and recycled plastic out of our packaging and, therefore, out of landfills.
Why recycling matters
Recycling is an incredible innovation that has many far-reaching benefits – from keeping landfills less full to providing high-paying jobs right here in the U.S.
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Saves energy and conserves natural resources.
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Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators.
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Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials.
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Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials.
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Helps create new well-paying jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States.
How to recycle like a boss
Sometimes it’s not as simple as tossing recyclables into the big blue container – you have to do a little precycling first. Check out these tips to ensure you’re recycling right.
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Break down and flatten cardboard boxes.
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Remove plastic or bubble wrap from cardboard and recycle items separately.
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Cardboard, newspaper, and magazines can be recycled as long as they don’t have food, liquid, or waste on them – so greasy pizza boxes are a no-no.
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Additionally, make sure plastic and metal recyclables are empty, clean, and dry. One dirty item can contaminate an entire truckload.
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Place recyclables in the bin individually; don’t put them in a plastic bag.
Now, go out there and celebrate America Recycles Day by turning something old into something new.