Elisa Seltzer, the director of the Public Works Department in Michigan's Emmet County, says her county's recycling program—which accepts over 35 different materials for recycling—is a perfect example of what a recycling program should be. Elisa says that more than 80 percent of Emmet County's residents participate in the self-funding program because it's easy, saves people money and keeps trash out of landfills.

How can other communities follow suit? Elisa says the best way to get an effective recycling program in your town is to contact your local government and make your voice heard. "You need to set up good local, state and national policy to pave the way for people to be able to recycle and have it be financially viable," she says. "But once you set up that structure in place, it runs itself."