Why is Global Recycling Day so important?
There’s no denying that waste is an enormous contributor to climate change. Let’s face it, too many of us have mindlessly thrown away items before double checking if it could be recycled or not. But it’s never too late to change! Global Recycling Day happens every year and we’re here to help unpack why it’s important to recognise and celebrate.
What is Global Recycling Day?
Global Recycling Day was created by the Global Recycling Foundation in 2018 in an effort to spread awareness on the importance of recycling. Despite the term “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” being drilled into our vocabulary during our school years, 55% of British households still place items that could be recycled into their general rubbish bins. In an attempt to tackle this, the awareness day aims to educate and change the mindset of governments, businesses, communities and individuals, to recognise the value of resources and recycled goods, and how we can avoid waste in the first place.
“We are the last generation that can prevent irreparable damage to our planet”
Why is this so important?
I’m sure we’ve all seen our national treasure, David Attenborough’s, Blue Planet II, which highlighted the devastating and scary consequences that plastic waste is having on the environment and on wildlife. In recent years, climate emergencies have been declared around the world. In 2019, the president of the UN’s General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, said, “We are the last generation that can prevent irreparable damage to our planet”.
While for some, throwing the odd recyclable item into the general waste might not seem like a big deal. However, every item we use or purchase, such as food, clothes and appliances comes with a significant carbon footprint, especially when thrown away and discarded rather than recycled. By choosing to recycle an item, you can help ensure that none of the energy and raw materials used to make it goes to waste. In fact, if we all gave a little more thought into whether our items can be recycled, we can contribute to saving over 700 million tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.
The list could be endless, but here are just a few of the benefits that come when we take more care of how we recycle:
- Reduces the demand for raw materials
- Protecting ecosystems and wildlife
- Decreases climate changing carbon emissions
- Conserving natural resources
- Promotes a lifestyle of reusing and repurposing
How is AKT supporting Global Recycling Day?
AKT is a business built on a strong set of values and we feel that honesty and respect are essential to all the decisions we make. Therefore, we focus on making a high performing product without compromising on our ethical beliefs.
We are proud to have developed plastic-free packaging for AKT that’s fit for modern living. The Deodorant Balm is packaged in aluminium tubes ideal for their durability, portability, and recyclability. Aluminium can forever be recycled without losing any quality. In fact, 75% of all the Aluminium ever produced is still in use. But plastic caps that usually accompany aluminium tubes, can’t. In response, we’ve created bespoke aluminium caps to prevent more plastic entering our ecosystem.
Can one person really make a difference?
How can you do your part for Global Recycling Day?
The most common question we all want to know the answer to is, can one person really make a difference? It is important for us all to understand that a single bottle, a single can or a single piece of plastic all matter. When we choose to recycle, we start a chain reaction of positive change and by just participating, we are all collectively helping to battle the climate change crisis. Not sure where to start? Spray no more. Below we’ve put a list together of some simple and easy ways to improve your recycling habits.
- Know what can and can’t be recycled - Read up on the recycling rules for your area and make sure you don't send anything in that can't be processed.
- Reduce Plastic Waste - Change the smallest of habits such as using a reusable bag or reusable bottles to help to make a difference.
- Upcycle - Repair your old items such as clothes to create a new look for less or turn your old candle into a makeup brush holder. If you’re looking for a bigger challenge, upholster your old furniture to create a more modern feel to your home.
- Packing - Making a conscious effort to buy less packaged goods as the food you are buying from supermarkets a lot of this comes heavily packaged.
- Buy Recycled Products - Support the loop by not only recycling, but purchasing recycled products too!
- Donate, don’t dispose! - Lots of charities welcome your donations. Give away any unwanted clothes, toys or household items and give your community the opportunity to re-love it.