November 15 has marked America Recycles Day since 1997. It’s the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling in the United States.

But what’s the difference between a recycled water bottle, a bottle that’s recyclable, and a reusable water bottle? The three words are often interchanged, but they shouldn’t be.

A recycled bottle has been made from materials that have been previously used. These “materials” are often referred to as post-industrial waste and post-consumer waste.

Post-industrial waste is generated during the manufacturing process. For water bottles, it’s often from virgin fiber producers, tire cord manufacturers, polymerization plants, and many other plastic products.

Post-consumer waste is recovered from the consumer supply chain, most often from disposable bottles and household plastics. That waste is then repurposed into items like recycled water bottles and reusable shopping bags with recycled content. Just be sure to look at the amount of recycled material in the item you’re considering—it can vary from less than 10% to 100%.

Recyclable water bottles are things made from virgin materials, but that can be put through a recycling process once you are finished with them. Many of our water bottles are recyclable once you’re done with them.

Finally, a reusable water bottle is simply a bottle that you can use over and over. Got it? Great! Now go buy something recycled, recyclable, OR both!

In honor of America Recycles Day, take $25 off any custom water bottle order of $350 or more on Bulletin Bottle [.com] or take $25 off any custom reusable bag order on Bulletin Bag [.com]. Orders must be placed by 5:00 pm EST on 11/15/2013 (standard minimum order requirements apply. Must mention coupon code ARD13.).

For more information on America Recycles Day, or how you can get involved, visit http://americarecyclesday.org/.