Ensuring Our Future

Help Protect Water When You Recycle for Nature

Today, global demands for food, energy and shelter are putting unprecedented pressure on the resources of the planet. Water is at the heart of this crisis. Nearly 40 percent of the U.S. is currently facing droughts. 40 percent of rivers and 60 percent of lakes are unsafe for drinking, swimming and fishing.

So what about Oklahoma?

Not only is Oklahoma ranked as one of the fastest growing states by Forbes, CNN Money and 24/7 Wall St., it is also ranked as one of the top states running out of water the fastest. Experts estimate an expected cost of $87 billion for improvements to meet Oklahoma’s drinking water needs over the next 50 years.

The Nature Conservancy believes that integrating natural solutions can help us realize significant cost savings alongside the invaluable return of improved water quality and quantity. Working across sectors, we can fundamentally change how water is managed and help protect this vital resource for people and nature.

For example, our science-based, collaborative efforts to benefit the health of the Arbuckle- Simpson Aquifer is bringing a variety of partners together to synchronize their actions in a way that will sustain the natural environment while providing water for people too. The Arbuckle- Simpson Aquifer is a critical source of water for life and economic development in south-central Oklahoma and plays a vital role in the well being of Oklahomans who depend on it for water, food, jobs and recreation.

And now when you recycle, you will support clean drinking water projects like our work on the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer. As recycling increases, PepsiCo contributes funding for The Nature Conservancy’s water conservation work in North America. According to a PepsiCo national survey, 81 percent of Americans say they would recycle beverage containers at a retail location if proper bins were available. At away-from-home locations, recycling bins are available only 12 percent of the time.

To help increase recycling in Oklahoma City, The Nature Conservancy and PepsiCo teamed up to provide bins and services at local events that currently do not have recycling. This is a win-win situation. Recycle for Nature will help drive recycling rates while boosting conservation efforts designed to protect and improve drinking water sources.

Since May 2015, Recycle for Nature has provided recycling services to over 100,000 Oklahomans at community events and diverted 13,020 plastic bottles and aluminum cans from Oklahoma City’s landfill.

Programs such as PepsiCo’s Recycle for Nature help The Nature Conservancy ensure the future of clean drinking water. By recycling your bottles and cans, you too can help protect nature and clean drinking water across the country.

Join our commitment to clean water: Go forth and recycle!

#RecycleForNature

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s freshwater conservation efforts in Oklahoma, visit nature.org/OKwater