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Global Recycling Day – 18 March 2024

Every year, the Earth yields billions of tons of natural resources and at some point, in the not too distant future, it will run out.

That’s why we must think again about what we throw away – seeing not waste, but opportunity.

The last decade has been the hottest on record, and we are now facing a climate emergency of unparalleled proportions. If we don’t make significant and rapid changes, we will see continued rising global temperatures, the melting of icecaps, continents on fire and rapid deforestation.

This directly affects humanity with increased poverty, immigration from displaced communities, job losses, waste mountains and natural habitats disappearing. We have the power to make lasting changes to combat this, and with recycling being recognized in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030, we are already seeing many individuals, governments and organisations taking direct action to support the global green agenda.

Recycling is a key part of the circular economy, helping to protect our natural resources. Each year the ‘Seventh Resource’ (recyclables) saves over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions and this is projected to increase to 1 billion tons by 2030. There is no doubt recycling is on the front line in the war to save the future of our planet and humanity.

The Global Recycling Foundation is pleased to announce the theme of Global Recycling Day 2024 as #RecyclingHeroes. This will recognise the people, places and activities that showcase what an important role recycling plays in contributing to an environmentally stable planet and a greener future which will benefit all.

Global Recycling Day was created in 2018 to help recognise, and celebrate, the importance recycling plays in preserving our precious primary resources and securing the future of our planet. It is a day for the world to come together and put the planet first.

The mission of Global Recycling Day, as set out by the Global Recycling Foundation, is twofold:

1. To tell world leaders that recycling is simply too important not to be a global issue, and that a common, joined up approach to recycling is urgently needed.

2. To ask people across the planet to think resource, not waste, when it comes to the goods around us – until this happens, we simply won’t award recycled goods the true value and repurpose they deserve.

 

Source: text & Images: https://www.globalrecyclingday.com/

 

World Environment Day – 5 June 2023

Solutions to plastic pollution

More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year worldwide, half of which is designed to be used only once. Of that, less than 10 per cent is recycled.

An estimated 19-23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas annually. That is approximately the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers all together.

Microplastics – tiny plastic particles up to 5mm in diameter – find their way into food, water and air. It is estimated that each person on the planet consumes more than 50,000 plastic particles per year –and many more if inhalation is considered.

Discarded or burnt single-use plastic harms human health and biodiversity and pollutes every ecosystem from mountain tops to the ocean floor.

With available science and solutions to tackle the problem, governments, companies and other stakeholders must scale up and speed actions to solve this crisis.

This underscores the importance of this World Environment Day in mobilizing transformative action from every corner of the world.

Fifty years celebrating World Environment Day

Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually on 5 June since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. In 2023, it is hosted by Côte D’Ivoire.

Did you know?

  • Some 11 million tonnes of plastic waste flow annually into oceans. This may triple by 2040.
  • More than 800 marine and coastal species are affected by this pollution through ingestion, entanglement, and other dangers.
  • A shift to a circular economy can reduce the volume of plastics entering oceans by over 80 per cent by 2040; reduce virgin plastic production by 55 per cent; save governments US$70 billion by 2040; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent; and create 700,000additional jobs – mainly in the global south.
Source: Text: https://www.un.org/en/observances/environment-day   Image: University of Prince Edward Island

Faith in a global agreement to combat plastic pollution by 2024 

Last year, 175 UN Member States endorsed a historic resolution to end plastic pollution and forge an international legally binding agreement that

will be ready by the end of 2024. This is the most significant environmental multilateral deal since the Paris accord. It is an insurance policy for this generation and future ones, so they may live with plastic and not be doomed by it.

Source: Text & Image: UNEP 2023

Global Recycling Day – 18 March 2023

GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY

Every year on March 18th, Global Recycling Day invites everyone to look at their trash in a different way. The initiative serves as a reminder that much of our trash is reusable, recyclable or not really trash at all.

Worldwide we dump an astonishing 2.12 billion tons of waste. That number includes food, electronics, paper waste, and much more. Eventually, there will be no place to put it all if we don’t develop creative solutions to eliminate and reduce waste.

Communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals promote recycling, reusing, and repurposing items. They also host competitions inspiring a wealth of recycling know-how. It’s an opportunity to develop new ways to use old things and make it a regular habit.

GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY HISTORY

The Bureau of International Recycling established Global Recycling Day in 2018. That same year, the United Nation Industrial Development Organization recognized the event. Since then, organizations around the world have joined the observance by supporting events that increase awareness and encourage international cooperation that will help to reduce the amount of waste we produce.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/global-recycling-day-march-18/