Every year on November 15, Ukraine together with the whole world celebrates World Recycling Day .
On this occasion,EcoPolitic gathered interesting facts and figures about recycling and waste processing, and also learned what each of us can do to rationally use resources and maximize their reuse.
When was World Recycling Day established?
Recycling Day was first established in Texas in 1994.
In the United States, this day was declared official later – at the 16th annual convention of the National Recycling Coalition in Orlando. In honor of this, a parade was held in which about 2,000 people took part.
How is this day celebrated?
World Recycling Day is an opportunity for organizations, governments and social movements to organize actions, seminars, and educational events. For example, the Ukrainian initiative "Let's do it, Ukraine" is conducting an all-Ukrainian school marathon of separate waste collection and waste sorting "Let's do it, Ukraine School Recycling" and has created a national map of recycling collection points as an application. This helps build a culture of environmental responsibility among both children and adults.
Why recycling is important
Every year, the consumption of natural resources on the planet grows by 1-2%. The constant decrease in the volume of natural resources is forcing countries around the world to reorient their own economies towards rational consumption and recycling of resources. For example, in Germany the recycling rate for household waste is already 67%.
Therefore, recycling becomes one of the ways to solve the problem of limited resources. In addition, it helps reduce the cost of finished products through the use of cheaper raw materials.
According to research, about 450 million tons of waste are generated annually in Ukraine, but only 3% of it is recycled. The rest end up in landfills that occupy huge areas and already exceed the total territory of the country’s environmental protection zones. In countries like Sweden, up to 99% of waste is recycled, which not only reduces environmental damage, but also generates profit.
What are the benefits of recycling
Reusing waste allows you to:
- save resources;
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
- reduce the need for raw material extraction;
- create new jobs.
Paper, plastic, glass, metal and other materials can be used to create products that promote the development of a circular (or circular) economy.
Here are some striking examples:
- 60 kg of collected and recycled waste paper is one tree saved from being cut down;
- using cullet to produce 1 ton of glass means saving 600 kg of sand, 170 kg of limestone and feldspar, 190 kg of soda ash, as well as reducing energy consumption by 40%;
- 1 ton of recycled aluminum beverage cans saves 4 tons of bauxite and reduces production energy consumption by 95%.
What can each of us do
November 15 is a reminder of our responsibility for the environment. World Recycling Day highlights the importance of proper waste management and reuse. Here are simple steps that every Ukrainian should take:
1. Sort your trash.
Remember: recycling is impossible without balanced waste sorting. Thanks to it, millions of tons of resource-valuable materials, such as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metals, wood, are not stored in landfills, but are given a “second life.”
Sort paper, glass, plastic, metal separately and hand them over to recycling centers.
2. Support environmental causes.
Participate in cleanup campaigns, plant trees, and tell your family and friends about the importance of recycling.
3. Choose conscious consumption.
Buy products made from recycled materials and refuse single-use plastic.
Today everyone can contribute to reducing the accumulation of waste, give garbage a “second life” and thus take care of the environment.
The other day EcoPolitic told about another outstanding date – the International Day for the Prevention of Environmental Exploitation in Times of War, which is celebrated on November 6.
