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I read somewhere several weeks ago that today is America Recycles Day. I was personally happy to see that such a day exists, but wondered how observed it is as I had never heard of any eco-friendly days besides Earth Day. A quick Internet search led me to the National Recycling Coalition Web site. 

Students at St. John Bosco School fill these bins one to two times a week.

Then I read a parish bulletin online last week (sorry, I can’t remember which one) and noticed an announcement about the day. I don’t think the parish was doing anything special to honor America Recycles Day, but reminded parishioners to recycle every day by dumping their paper — junk mail, homework, newspaper, etc. — in the yellow dumpsters in the church parking lot.  I do that about once a month after Mass. It clears out the house and my desk and earns a nice income for the parish. I wish more parishioners would join me.

 One local parish has joined America’s efforts to reduce pollution caused by countless plastic grocery bags. I read in the San Francisco de Asis bulletin last month that the Just Faith Environmental Committee at the Flagstaff Parish gave away reusable bags after Mass. It reported that 14 plastic bags contain enough petroluem to drive a car a mile and that 380 billion bags or wraps are thrown away in America each year. Cities spend up to 17 cents per bag in disposal cost, the bulletin announcement read.

“There are many small steps we can continue to take toward being good stewards of God’s creation,” it continued. It suggested the following Web site for further inspiration. Too bad some grocery store owners I saw in New Jersey earlier this week didn’t know about this site. They double bagged everyone’s griceries…first in a paper bag and then in plastic for the handles. I highly doubt a decent percentage of those bags get recycled. 

On the bright side, you can learn more about what local parishes and schools are doing to be stewards of God’s great earth here and find a way to recycle more.