America Recycles Day: How Water Recycling Makes an Impact
November 10, 2025
Blue bins, the triangular logo, instructions listed on product packaging – recycling has become familiar and even mainstream in the United States in recent years. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 32 percent of households recycle, but a recent report from The Recycling Partnership (TRP) indicates only 21 percent of residential recyclable items are being recycled. As the country recognizes America Recycles Day in November, it’s a great time to identify opportunities for recycling both at home and within industrial settings.
America Recycles Day
America Recycles Day is a day of recycling education and action sponsored by the EPA, with a goal of increasing the U.S. recycling rate both in homes and businesses.
Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, conserves natural resources, prevents pollution, creates jobs and saves energy, among other positive impacts on our communities and the environment. America Recycles Day emphasizes the need to not only recycle more, but to also “recycle right” to make the most impact.
In addition to recycling eligible materials like cardboard, plastic and glass, opting for reusable items plays a significant role in recycling efforts, too. Reusable tablecloths, dishes, cutlery, lunchboxes, water bottles, coffee mugs and other daily-use items are better for the environment than their single-use counterparts. Additionally, shopping for second-hand items instead of always buying new, and focusing on purchasing higher-quality items that have an extended life span, are easy ways to focus on reuse and recycling.
Recycling in Industry
Industrial waste recycling becomes necessary when businesses produce hard-to-recycle or hazardous materials. Businesses often produce common recyclable materials similar to household waste, including cardboard, paper, metal and plastic containers.
Various companies offer industrial recycling services, which can help keep industrial byproducts out of landfills. Organizations can also consider using already-recycled materials as substitutes for raw materials.
Water Recycling and Reclamation
While recycling solids is one avenue for environmentally friendly policy, water recycling and/or water reclamation can also have a major impact on industrial organizations and their communities.
Water recycling involves the treating and repurposing of wastewater for alternative uses. According to the EPA, recycled water is a reliable water source and can be used to protect against droughts, support industrial processes, protect rivers and streams and enhance groundwater supplies.
Sources of recycled water can include stormwater, municipal wastewater, bathroom and laundry water and industrial wastewater. To reuse water, it first must be treated to remove contaminants and chemicals and is then treated, per location-specific regulations and permit requirements as needed prior to distribution.
The Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act guide the EPA, state and local government programs to protect drinking water sources and other bodies of water.
McFadden Engineering Supports Water Recycling Efforts
In addition to helping clients assess and remediate environmental engineering issues that relate to industrial recycling and regulatory compliance, the McFadden Engineering team developed OxyShark®, a multi-celled, fixed-film bioreactor capable of handling hundreds of thousands of gallons of wastewater per day.
OxyShark® treats wastewater for discharge, reuse (e.g., washdown, cooling, landscaping), or regulatory compliance without hazardous chemicals, relying solely on beneficial bacteria and oxygen. This approach minimizes environmental risk and eliminates the cost of chemical treatments.
Water recycling can make a substantial impact on overall recycling efforts in industrial and municipal spaces, leading to improved efficiency, less risk of regulation violations and cleaner communities.
McFadden Engineering’s team of water and wastewater experts specializes in providing environmentally sound solutions to solve unique civil and environmental engineering needs. Visit the OxyShark® website for more information or contact our team today to inquire about how our team can support your industrial and water recycling needs.