Tuesday was “America Recycles Day” and Republic Services, Inc. is encouraging people to ensure that their recyclables are Empty, Clean & Dry. These three simple steps will help to reduce material contamination, ensuring that recyclables are repurposed into new materials as intended, and improve the economics of recycling, preserving its environmental benefits for generations to come.

Over the past 30 years, recycling has become a part of daily life in America. At the same time, the way we live and consume as a society has dramatically changed. From new product packaging that may not be recyclable to the reduction of value in certain recyclable commodities to the contamination of recyclables in the recycling bin; societal shifts are rendering the recycling business model less economical.

This puts the long-term viability of recycling at risk.

“We know from surveys and direct feedback that recycling is critically important to our customers,” Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services, said in a press release. “While manufacturing processes and commodity valuations are not areas consumers have the ability to impact, we all have the opportunity to greatly reduce the amount of contamination entering the recycling waste stream. This America Recycles Day, we encourage everyone to remember empty, clean and dry when you recycle, and help to preserve recycling for future generations.”

Republic is offering three suggestions for every American to reduce the amount of recycling contamination at the curb so that recyclables are repurposed into new materials as intended:

1. Empty: Remove any remaining food or liquid contents from your recyclable item before placing it in a recycling container;

2. Clean: Lightly rinse the recyclable item to remove any remaining residue; and

3. Dry: Gently shake out excess water or let the recyclable item air-dry before placing it in a recycling container.