Recycling should be a known phenomenon by now, right? In my community, homeowners are given a recycling bin and it amazes me how few actually take advantage of it. As I drive down the street in my neighborhood, I often see more trash cans than recycling containers on trash collection day. I'm shocked that many people don't recycle and instead throw items in trash cans. One solution to this problem may be for Americans to become more aware of what they are buying and make sure they are not purchasing goods that they will not use or consume. “The average household credit card debt surpassed the $10,000 mark in 2006.” (69) Most of the goods purchased that year were thrown away just a few years later, which is a terrible statement. By purchasing only necessary goods and paying more attention to recycling, the landfills littering America could be significantly reduced. Most people aren't aware of what happens to their trash, or they simply don't care where it goes. I admit that I also don't think much about where my trash goes, but I do my best to recycle, as do most of my friends and family. A large amount of waste thrown into landfills escapes and ends up in the oceans, especially plastic bags, but it could also include pieces of plastic, glass, etc..