What Is America Recycles Day?

America Recycles Day, run by Keep America Beautiful, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to recycling. It falls on November 15 every year and is built around education and action: helping people understand what actually belongs in the bin, and pushing them to recycle more and waste less at home, school, and work.

In 2026, Keep America Beautiful is expanding the day into "America Recycles Month," with a full month of daily challenges leading up to and through November 15.

How the Day Works

Unlike past years, there's no formal pledge or sign-up form. Instead, Keep America Beautiful centers the day around a few core activities:

Take the recycling quiz. An interactive "Recycling Reality Check Quiz" tests what you actually know about what's recyclable and what isn't. Most people are surprised by the results.

Join the #AmericaRecycles Challenge. Keep America Beautiful publishes a daily challenge calendar for November. Participants complete a challenge each day, post it with #AmericaRecycles, and tag @KeepAmericaBeautiful. The calendar is a free download.

Use the habits guide. A "How to Improve Recycling Habits" PDF covers the basics: what belongs in the bin, keeping materials clean, and cutting waste before it starts.

Check the impact. Keep America Beautiful publishes a yearly wrap report showing the results from volunteers, affiliates, and partners nationwide. The 2025 report is available as a download on their site.

Sign up for updates. There's a newsletter signup for ongoing tips and stories, but no formal registration, tracking tool, or certificate process for individuals or businesses.

How Chicago Businesses Can Turn Awareness Into Action

Taking the quiz or downloading the calendar is a good start, but here's how to actually move the needle at your Chicago facility.

Audit Your Current Waste Stream

Before you can improve anything, you need a baseline. Run a one-week waste audit:

• Weigh or estimate the volume of trash vs. recycling vs. compost

• Identify contamination (recyclables in trash, trash in recycling)

• Note what's being thrown away that could go through specialized programs (e-waste, textiles, pallets, food waste)

Expand Beyond the Blue Cart

Most commercial waste streams include materials that need separate handling:

• E-waste: Computers, monitors, cables, phones (see our guide to e-waste recycling in Chicago)

• Textiles: Uniforms, linens, upholstery, fabric scraps

• Organic waste: Food scraps, compostable packaging, landscaping debris

• Construction debris: Drywall, concrete, wood, metal from renovations or tenant improvements

Train Your Team

Contamination is the #1 reason recyclables end up in landfills. Run a 15-minute training session covering:

• What goes in your building's recycling bins (and what doesn't)

• How to prep items (rinse containers, flatten cardboard, remove caps)

• Where to take specialty items (batteries to the office manager, e-waste to the loading dock, etc.)

Set a Measurable Goal

Vague intentions don't drive results. Examples of measurable goals:

• "Reduce landfill waste by 25% by March 2027"

• "Achieve zero contamination in office recycling bins by January 2027"

• "Divert 100% of e-waste and textiles from landfills starting Q4 2026"

• "Switch to 100% recycled-content office paper by December 2026"

Partner With a Commercial Recycler for Bulk Materials

If your business generates bulk volumes of mattresses, furniture, construction debris, or other materials the city doesn't handle, you need a commercial partner. GreenWay works with property managers, contractors, facility managers, and business operators across Chicago to handle:

• Mattress recycling from multi-family buildings and hotels

• Office and restaurant equipment removal during cleanouts or renovations

• Construction and demolition debris from commercial projects

We provide documentation, weight tickets, and diversion reporting so you can track progress toward your own goals, no matter what the national program's format looks like this year.

Commercial Recycling Support in Chicago

If you manage a property, building, facility, or business in Chicago and need help with bulk materials like textiles, mattresses, appliances, furniture, construction debris, or commercial cleanouts, GreenWay can help.

We provide:

• Waste audits and diversion planning

• Scheduled or on-call pickup for bulk recyclables

• Documentation and reporting for sustainability goals

• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

Call (773) 522-0025 to discuss your needs.