As we usher in a new year with the holidays behind us, for many of us, we celebrated, gave gifts and received gifts…in a nutshell; we bought a lot of stuff.  In the United States we are consumers to the core, but we are not alone in this world as most developed countries follow our lead with respect to the buy, buy and buy some more mentality.

Growing up it was the three ‘R’s’ that we learned in school, however, I would like to add a fourth ‘R’ if school administrators would listen – recycling.

So your yard could use some work!  Would you like to win $1000 worth of recycled rubber products and a $750 gift card to Lowe's courtesy of IMC to add some curb appeal to your home?  Just grab a camera and head to our Facebook page.

Having been active in the recycling industry for more than a decade I applaud the efforts of many to live “green” or give back something to the Earth on this celebrated day, but is one day really enough?

Is rubber mulch the only option for the safest playground in the neighborhood, or are there other ways we can help protect our children?

Bobcats Sports & Entertainment (BSE) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Jordan participated today in Cats Care service projects at four sites throughout the Charlotte area.  More than 150 staff members and Bobcats players and coaches joined Jordan in activities aimed at making a difference and raising awareness in the community about education, child wellness and the fight against hunger.

For all of us with little ones, we yearn for the days when we can walk to the local playground, get some exercise and enjoy our time with family.

One major metro has had enough with the lack of recycling efforts in its community.

It is no surprise that Americans produce a lot of trash.  Every year we hope that recycling numbers are on the rise, and in some cities they are, but then we hear about cities that fall far short of making a difference – I am talking to you...

Are we at risk of running out of water?  Could rubber mulch be the conservation cure we need?

Today, more than ever, people receive their news and information from the Internet. The five pound Sunday newspaper has become a thing of the past and I for one think this is a good thing.

How much are you willing to pay not to recycle may be the question in the very near future?

While the grass begins its evolution from brown to green as spring takes hold, many in my neighborhood are turning green as well, green with envy.

After months of waiting, the EPA has released the results on its test of crumb rubber.  Are playgrounds safe?  The answer is yes!  This confirms IMC's extensive third-party testing along with numerous other governmental studies completed in 2009.

During the holidays, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash than any other time of year. From Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, an additional 1 million tons of waste is thrown out each week.

This is zero waste – this is no dumping in landfills – this is giving anything and everything a second life – this is sharing – this is helping – this is how it should be done.

I promise…

to explore the wonders of nature around me,

to learn the importance of every living thing,

to live every day as Earth’s best friend, and to help others do the same!

The practice of recycling rubber is not a new one.  As a matter of fact, we can trace this practice back more than 270 years when a French astronomer brought home samples of rubber after a trip to Peru. 

Do we live a “green” life to better the world, or feel better about ourselves?  This is an important question that we must all ask ourselves when we look into our environmental mirror so to speak.  While we are doing more than ever before, we all need to be better informed as to what we are doing, and why we are doing it.

We did not invent mulch, Mother Nature did.  We merely realized the benefits and adapted the source to: lessen waste, give a second life, enhance our planet and better the environment.  These previous four statements are remarkably close to the words that go with the logo with three arrows in a circle, one that we are all familiar with – reduce, reuse, respect and recycle.