Our planet provides us with many valuable resources, but if we continue to use them at the rate we do, they will eventually run out.
That’s why it’s vital to rethink how we deal with our trash. Instead of just throwing things away, we can see it as opportunities to save resources and give them new life.
We ALL have the power to make a difference!
Global Recycling Day is a perfect time to consider what we can do and make changes to create a cleaner, greener world.
Let’s get started!
What is Global Recycling Day?
Global Recycling Day, celebrated annually on March 18th, is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of recycling and encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to take action.
It reminds us of the critical role recycling plays in preserving our environment and conserving valuable resources for future generations.
A History of the Day & Why It Matters
Global Recycling Day was established in 2018 by the Global Recycling Foundation to highlight the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices worldwide.
Since then, it has grown into a global movement. The day unites global communities in a shared mission to promote recycling as a critical solution to challenges such as pollution, climate change, and resource depletion.
The mission of Global Recycling Day is twofold:
- To tell world leaders that recycling is simply too important not to be a global issue.
- To ask people across the planet to think of resources, not waste, when it comes to the goods around us.
Recycling reduces the waste sent to landfills and conserves energy and natural resources, mitigating the adverse effects of our consumption-oriented lifestyle on the planet.
5 Ways to Get Involved
Global Recycling Day is an opportunity to think about our lives and recycling habits. This is so we can make changes for the better that we can stick to all year round!
Here are a few ways to get started:
- Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about recycling, including what materials can be recycled and how to sort them properly. Share your knowledge with friends, family, and classmates to raise awareness and inspire action.
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Practice the three Rs of sustainability in your daily life by minimising waste, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials that can be repurposed. Opt for reusable products like water bottles, shopping bags, and containers to reduce single-use plastic consumption.
- Participate in Recycling Initiatives: Get involved in local recycling programs, clean-up events, or waste reduction campaigns in your community. Organise or join a recycling drive at your school or university to collect recyclable materials and raise funds for environmental causes.
- Support Eco-Friendly Brands: Choose products from companies that prioritise sustainability and use recycled materials in manufacturing. Look for eco-friendly certifications, such as Fair Trade or Forest Stewardship Council(FSC), when purchasing to support businesses committed to environmental stewardship.
- Advocate for Change: Use your voice to advocate for policies and practices that promote recycling and sustainable waste management at the local, national, and global levels. Write to elected officials, participate in environmental activism campaigns, or join student-led organisations dedicated to environmental advocacy to make your voice heard and effect positive change.
Explore Our Recycling-Positive Employers!
Explore Careers is fortunate to partner with exceptional employers who put sustainability first!
Check out some of our recent employer blogs below to learn more. Don’t forget to click through to their employer profiles to discover other initiatives, pathways and job opportunities:
- Unveiling Green Careers: How to Align Your Values with Sustainability Goals With Hanson
- Cream of the Crop: Explore How Australian Dairy is Leading Sustainability!
- Explore the Value of Green Careers With BINGO’s Sustainability Promise
- Recycling Revolution: How You and Visy Can Save the Planet
Make a Change Today
As students, we have the power to drive meaningful change and shape the future of our planet.
This Global Recycling Day 2024, let’s commit to making a difference by embracing recycling and inspiring others to do the same.
Together, we can create a more sustainable world for generations to come.
