Today is Global Recycling Day!

Today (18 March 2024) is Global Recycling Day, which is the yearly celebration to help recognise, and celebrate, the important role 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 Global Recycling Foundation, who organises Global Recycling Day, states the mission of the day is 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;
• ask people across the planet to think resource, not waste, when it comes to the goods around us - until this happens, we simply will not award recycled goods the true value and re-purpose they deserve.

This years theme is #RecyclingHeroes, to 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.

What is the problem?

Plastics are very useful everyday, but they create a problem once they are used and thrown away. They do not break down or rot like natural materials do, so they last for a very long time.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, 14 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans every year. This can harm sea life and is very bad for the environment.

The last decade has been the hottest on record, and we are now facing a climate emergency of unparalleled proportions. If we do not 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.

What progress has been made?

We do have the power to make lasting changes to combat this, and with recycling being recognised 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", which is recyclables, saves over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions and this is projected to increase to one billion tons by 2030.

The Global Recycling Foundation says: "There is no doubt recycling is on the front line in the war to save the future of our planet and humanity".

Since Global Recycling Day started in 2018 there has been some progress on plans to cut plastic waste:

• the government have banned lots of single use plastics like straws, cotton buds, stirrers and microbeads;
• they have introduced laws to charge more for plastic shopping bags;
• the UK government is planning to introduce a ban on plastic cutlery in England in October;
• the Scottish government is planning a plastic bottle deposit scheme, where it will pay you 20p for returning bottles and cans, however this does continue to be delayed.

Campaigners say there is still lots of work to do. The recycling rate in the UK has actually gone down in recent years. In 2020 44.4% of our waste was recycled, which has gone down from 44.5% in 2015, which the government blames on the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government is aiming for 50% of our waste to be recycled.

What can individuals do?

This Global Recycling Day, the Global Recycling Foundation is asking people to reuse and recycling, and recognise those who are #RecyclingHeroes. Here are some ideas you could do to celebrate the day:

• use a reusable water bottle or cup instead of buying bottled water or single-use coffee cups;
• encourage people to buy loose vegetables instead of ones in plastic bags;
• say no to plastic straws, polystyrene trays and cutlery;
• take reusable bags shopping;
• encourage family, friends and colleagues to recycle;
• look at your companies policies around recycling and waste;
• familiarise yourself with your local recycling and waste rules;
• support businesses that promote recycling and reusing materials;
• try re-purposing an item you were thinking of throwing away;
• organise an event in your community or workplace to promote Global Recycling Day and its history.