Sometimes, when you're setting out your curbside bucket of recyclables for pickup; or hauling them to the recycling center, you may wonder if your singular and perhaps small contributions to a green earth really matter. Of course, as you no doubt know, the answer is yes. But just to reinforce some facts, do keep these in mind when doing the right thing:

We use a lot of paper in our “paper-less society”! But we turn it around and turn it into recycled paper, as well as other products, too – FACT; 40 percent of paper products are recycled. And all those sodas we swill? Well, 40 percent of soft drink bottles are recycled as well.

And FACT: fully half, 50 percent, of our country’s steel products and our old, and not truly worn out, appliances are recycled

And if you still need comfort that you aren't alone in your environmental caring, remember that 20 years ago the U.S. began with one curbside recycling program. Today, there are over 10,000, with 12,000 drop-off recycling sites.

Check out http://www.www-recyclinganswers.com/recycling-tips.html for more tips and facts about going green. And always: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

NCC's Environmental Task Force wants you to think – and act – green! To make it easier for you to keep the earth in balance, the ETF has compiled environmental tips and facts that we hope will inform and help you to live greener.

Be sure to check Northampton NOW each week for your “Earth Tips”.