When did recycling begin?  Recycling has been in existence ever since human civilization started. BUT recycling attained its big name in corporate America roughly  3-4 decades ago.

After World War II, landfills were the cheapest way to dispose of trash. Recycling gained its momentum during the 70’s and 80’s when it became cheaper to recycle glass, plastic, and cans due to improved technology.

When scientists and environmentalists found that recycling can actually reduce the effects of global warming, it was then that corporate America woke up to its call. Since then, we have seen corporations working toward making the environment greener and reducing waste. Responsible companies are creating their corporate sustainability objectives and are actively working on saving the environment.

A look at what companies are doing:

Wal-Mart has pioneered recycling activities and has a very clear social responsibility program. Wal-Mart is committed to zero waste, and is working to be powered by 100% of renewable sources of energy. Wal-Mart is encouraging all its vendors to become green which prompted Proctor and Gamble to reduce the plastic packaging content of its “Tide detergent”. Other companies have followed their steps. Dasani, Ozarka, and Nestle have also reduced the plastic content of their bottled water bottles by 30-40%. These companies deserve a round of applause in reducing the plastic content and improving the environment.

Corporate America is playing its part to reduce waste, increase recycling, and help the environment. What as an individual can we do to save the environment? How can we behave as responsible children of Mother Earth? Now I want to ask if you have a PSP? No, I don’t mean Sony PSP!

I mean your “personal sustainability project” – PSP.

Well, mine is to work from home 1 day a week. Since I drive 50 miles each day, one day of not driving to work reduces my carbon footprint by lessening my dependency on non renewable fuels while emitting less CO2.

So what’s your PSP? It could be anything, like I will recycle all my magazines and newspapers this year; I will eat organic 2 times a week…..

Readers please let us know your PSP, and see how much more responsible we can all become to save our environment and make the world a better place now and for future generations.