We, the undersigned, agree that the United States is in desperate need of a better recycling program.

In the United States, public recycling bins are very hard to find. Yes, they do exist, but they are not common. In some states like New York, recycling is mandatory, but what I am saying is that it should be mandatory nationwide. Recycling is important because the future of our planet depends on it. We need a better recycling program throughout the nation, and there is NO doubt that this is the case.

Thus, I believe that the following material recycling should be required under federal law:

1. Paper products
2. All types of plastic
3. Cans
4. Appliances
5. Electronics
6. Lamps (aka lightbulbs)
7. Batteries

Federal law should also mandate public recycling bins nationwide. We need ALL major businesses and corporations to provide recycling for their customers, clients, and employees, NOT just Target. Hence, ALL major corporations should be required BY FEDERAL LAW to provide recycling options for paper products, cans, plastic, electronics, and glass just as Target and IKEA do.

In addition, all businesses should discontinue the use of plastic bags. Believe it or not, Target Corporation receives lots of negative criticism for use of plastic bags. We can cut down on our use of single use plastics by not handing out plastic bags in retail and instead using reusable shopping bags, which supermarket chain Wegmans is already doing; they are no longer handing out plastic bags to their customers with grocery store purchases at the checkouts, and department store chain Boscov's (well, in some locations) is no longer handing out plastic bags and is instead offering their customers the option of buying a reusable shopping bag for 99¢, which I think is a fantastic idea. Truth be told, the fact that single use plastics (the ones that are not recyclable) are still legal in the United States both bewilders and infuriates me. 

That being said, any type of plastic should be capable of being recycled under penalty of federal law.

Furthermore, public trash receptacles should be equipped with recycling bins. On city sidewalks, trash cans should have a separate barrel for recyclables. In a nutshell, the separation of recyclables should be mandatory nationwide. Any person who discards recyclables with regular trash or does not separate their different recyclables should be subject to fines and possible community service/jail time. This practice is common in Europe, and I think America can and should do the same.

And speaking of which, recyclables should be recycled domestically, NOT shipped overseas. This should also be law. We need to learn to be more self-sufficient when it comes to recycling; we must not rely on other nations to help us when we can help ourselves. We are more than capable of processing and handling recyclables our own and we do not need any help from any other nation. Yes, America does recycle, but we do such a horrible job at it that many people have given up. But I don't want to give up because I would really hate to see the day when there is no life left on Earth because it is covered in trash because we were too lazy and stupid to recycle.

Please sign and share today. Your support means everything to me.