End-to-end
waste management

How can
we help?

ContactLinkedInYouTubeInstagram

Global Recycling Day to encourage less waste

Back to News
Global Recycling Day, taking place on Sunday, 18 March 2018, is aimed at changing the way we think about waste. The initiative is led by the Bureau for International Recycling (BIR), which has called on citizens to think of recycling as a valuable resource, rather than waste.“Global recycling Day is also a wake-up call to all of us, wherever we live. We must unite those involved in the industry – from workers on waste mountains to the world’s largest businesses – to help them to make the best use of what we dispose of, to make recycling easier, inherent even in the design of products, and to stop expecting countries to simply accept recyclables, which are difficult and costly to process,” explains president of the BUI Ranjit Baxi.The initiative has encouraged many cities across the globe to showcase the power of recycling through public displays and conferences. Lonon, Paris, Washington DC, Sao Paolo, Johannesburg and Sydney are a few of the cities where Golab Recycling Day will be observed. In Johannesburg, Global Recycling Day’s manifesto will be launched and a public clean-up campaign will be led by the City of Johannesburg and the Catholic Diocese.

Seven ways to reduce waste

The campaign will highlight the need to save resources and reduce waste across the globe. Here are seven ways in which you can cut down on your total waste:
  1. Be aware of your single-use plastic waste. Try to reuse old shopping bags, water bottles and ice-cream tubs.
  2. Learn and adhere to your local recycling regulations. Know what you can, and cannot, put into the recycling bins.
  3. Prevent contamination of recyclable materials. This will mean that more waste can be recycled instead of being discarded to landfill.
  4. Mend, repair and reuse any household waste if you can. Repurpose items instead of throwing them away.
  5. Be a conscientious shopper and try to avoid buying fruits and vegetables that are wrapped in plastic and unnecessary packaging. Also, opt to buy products that are labeled as recyclable.
  6. Reduce your e-waste and try to recycle old gadgets such as cellphones and laptops.
  7. Minimise your own waste-footprint as much as you can, and encourage others to try to do the same.

Pledge to waste less

Use the day to make a pact to yourself that you will make at least one change to your recycling habits. A little effort goes a long way in saving the environment, so start small if you are daunted by the commitment. Citizens are being encouraged to share pictures and videos of their recycling efforts on social media, using #GlobalRecyclingDay to raise additional awareness and to show how easy everyday recycling can be.“The world’s first Global Recycling Day is a vitally important new date in our global calendar. It is time we put the planet first and all commit to spend 10 more minutes a day ensuring that materials are disposed of properly’” urges Baxi.___Averda is a leading waste management provider with over 50 years of experience across three continents. Through growth, transformation and engagement, we strive to find new ways of managing waste while protecting the community and environment. ___By pairing international expertise with local insights, we have secured our position as one of South Africa’s most respected providers of waste management and industrial cleaning services. We also operate in the recycling, infrastructure inspection, hydro-demolition, high-pressure water jetting and catalyst handling industries. ___Follow us Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the best tips on recycling and the latest industry news. See our Instagram and YouTube channels for more insights into environmental affairs and our work with local communities.