Staff at East Midlands’ resource management and recycling company, Wastecycle, will be joining individuals, communities and businesses across the world on 18th March, to showcase the importance recycling plays in preserving the future of our planet.
On Global Recycling Day, Wastecycle will encourage the world to think ‘resource’ not ‘waste’. The day will also ask consumers to make at least one change to their recycling habits. The hashtag #globalrecyclingday will curate activities of people across the world, sharing what they are doing as the day is celebrated. Alongside this, individuals will be asked to sign a petition encouraging the United Nations to recognise the Day officially.
Throughout the Day, the main focus will be the importance of preserving the earth’s precious resources. Organisers, the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), have outlined seven vital challenges to world leaders, including educating the public on the necessity of recycling, supporting the sustainable trade of recyclable materials and to work with industries encouraging reuse of materials.
As the East Midlands’ leading resource management company, Wastecycle not only encourages people to recycle more, but also to reduce their waste and re-use items bound for the bin wherever possible.
“Recycling is obviously crucial but it’s also incredibly important to educate people on how they can reduce their waste and find new uses for items that they are going to throw away,” says Paul Clements, Commercial Director at Wastecycle. “As well as helping our customers recycle their waste, we also work incredibly hard to help them reduce the amount of materials they throw away. We look at their overall processes and help identify ways they can improve.
‘For example, we’ve worked with Nottingham Trent University’s facilities management team and helped them increase recycling by nearly 20 per cent. We did this by introducing a new initiative – Keep It Clear – which encouraged staff and students to segregate food waste and other recyclable materials.
“The introduction of clear waste bags and new recycling bins made it easier for the University’s cleaning team to ensure that the waste was disposed of in the most appropriate way, reducing contamination and increasing recycling rates.
“The simple but highly effective new system was trialled in the Bonington Building on the City Campus. The saving was so impressive that the University extended the trial to two other buildings. Further savings were made and recycling increased by nearly 20% in the second trial.
As well as direct environmental and financial benefits, the Keep It Clear campaign has also led to the University introducing other new initiatives to increase its sustainability performance. Waste art materials are now better segregated; wall mounts for food caddies have been introduced to increase the number of areas in which food waste can be collected; and a Recycling Roadshow now tours the campus educating students and staff on recycling best practice.
BIR President, Ranjit Baxi, said: “The world’s first Global Recycling Day is a vitally important new date in our global calendar. To truly harness the power of recycling we must adopt a global approach to its collection, processing and use, and this Day recognises the global nature of the industry and the issue. It is time we put the planet first and all commit to spend ten more minutes a day ensuring that materials are disposed of properly. It is a joint responsibility, not one of the few and I look forward to seeing individuals, communities, businesses and leaders joining us and celebrating the Day on 18th March.
“We applaud organisations like Wastecycle for their support for the Day, and bring the story of recycling to life at a community level.”
