The world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, with at least 33 percent of that—extremely conservatively—not managed in an environmentally safe manner. The waste ends up being landfilled, incinerated, recycled, or composted. According to The World Bank, only 13.5% of global waste is recycled while roughly 80% of the items buried in landfills could be recycled. For example, 75% of America’s waste is recyclable, but we only recycle around 30% of it, according to “Waste & Recycling” from Indiana University. Along with this, the Earth also yields billions of tons of natural resources and at some point, in the not too distant future, it will run out.  The global mean temperature has been steadily increasing in the last decade, and we are now facing severe consequences of global warming such as the melting of icecaps, abnormal climate patterns, and ocean acidification. These directly impact on our lives, especially on those living in LICs, and result in a form of poverty, immigration, waste mountains, and natural habitats disappearing. 

We have the power to make changes to combat this, and for recycling is recognized in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030, there are already lots of movements of many individuals, governments, and organizations taking action to support the global green agenda. Recycling is an essential part of the circular economy, which helps to protect natural resources. Also, the “Seventh Resource” (recyclables) saves over 700 million tonnes of CO2 emission each year and this is planned to increase up to 1 billion tonnes by 2030.

In light of this, the Global Recycling Foundation created Global Recycling Day in 2018, which is on every March 18th. According to them, we recognize and celebrate the importance of recycling plays in preserving our primary resources and securing the future of our planet. It is a day for the world to come together and put the planet first. This year’s theme of Global Recycling Day is #RecyclingHeroes. This is for us to recognize people, places, and activities that showcase an important role that recycling plays in contributing to an environmentally stable planet which will eventually benefit all. By celebrating Recycling Day, I hope we could change the world through recycling and considering the environmental impacts our movement will bring about. Lastly, I’d like to finish this article by stating the two missionary statements of Global Recycling Day.

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.

1. “WHAT A WASTE 2.0.” Trends in Solid Waste Management, datatopics.worldbank.org/what-a-waste/trends_in_solid_waste_management.html

2. Indiana University. "Waste & Recycling." Web Accessed April 25, 2015

3. “About.” Global Recycling Day, www.globalrecyclingday.com/about/.