Today, Keep America Beautiful is challenging all of us to recycle with America Recycles Day. To firm up your commitment, they've created a pledge. When you sign it, you're agreeing that you will:

• Find out what materials you can and cannot recycle in your curbside recycling program
• Lead by example at your place of work or school by recycling
• Recycle your used batteries, cell phones and other electronic waste through a take-back program or e-waste facility
• Tell five friends that recycling is one of the easiest things they can do to reduce their carbon emissions

If you live in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, let me give you a jump start: Click here for a list of what we can and can't recycle curbside (or, watch the video below).

Recycling really is one of the easiest things you can do to make a difference in our world. And, when you inspire others to do the same, you're doubling your efforts. So, get to recycling!

To celebrate, Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Wipe Out Waste program is offering paper shredding — for free! — and hazardous waste disposal (think batteries and turpentine) today. Click here for more details.

Rhiannon "Rhi" Bowman is an independent journalist who contributes snarky commentary on Creative Loafing's CLog blog four days a week in addition to writing for several other local media organizations. To learn more, click the links or follow Rhi on Twitter.