What goes around … must come around, too.

Taking your recyclable materials to the recycling center is only half the equation. The other half -- buying products made from recycled materials -- is every bit as important, and closes the loop on the recycling cycle.

Common recycled-content products include beverage containers made from aluminum, plastic, and glass. Office paper and newspapers are easily recycled. Newer recycled-content products include plastic lumber which turns plastic milk jugs into durable signs, benches, boardwalks, and other outdoor equipment. Shredded rubber from tires is being used as playground surfaces, and re-usable components from electronic equipment is being recovered rather than deposited into landfills.

Recycle, Ohio! Month focuses on the importance of recycling to Ohio's economy and environment. A recent study shows that Ohio's recycling industry generates $22.5 billion in direct sales, employs more than 100,000 people, and accounts for $650.6 million in state tax revenues.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

In honor of Recycle, Ohio! Month, you can make a commitment:

• to "buy recycled" at home and encourage the use of recycled-content products at your school or office.
• to organize a display of recycled-content products for your school, office, church, or shopping center.
• to ask local retailers to stock more products made from recycled materials.
• to plan a field trip to a facility that manufactures recycled-content products.
• to contact manufacturers and ask them to add recycled content to your favorite products.
• to read product labels and look for recycled content. AND
• sign a pledge card to enter a national drawing for recycle-based prizes!

November 15 is set aside as the national observation of America Recycles Day. This program is designed to encourage recycling by asking people to fill out pledge cards promising to recycle and buy recycled products. All signed pledge cards are entered into a drawing that will take place on or about December 15. For a pledge card and more information, see www.americarecyclesday.org.

Recycling succeeds only if consumers buy products made from materials collected for recycling. Close the recycling loop by buying recycled-content products.