As a concept of the Environmental Service Avenue of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura we have taken a step to launch a series of articles about the World Environmental Days.

And the second step is entitled as The Global Recycling Day 2021

Every year, on the 18th of March, Global Recycling Day (GRD) is celebrated, aiming to save the future of our planet and humanity, further it was created in 2018 to help, recognize and celebrate the importance of recycling in preserving our precious primary resources and securing the future of our planet.

The Global Recycling Foundation has set out the mission of this day as;

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.

To ask people across the planet to think resource, not waste, when it comes to the surrounding goods – until this happens, we simply won’t award recycled goods the true value and repurpose they deserve

What is Recycling?

Recycling is actually one process of the ‘3Rs’ and it refers to the principle of reducing waste, reusing, and recycling resources and products.

Reducing means choosing to use things with care to reduce the amount of waste generated. Reusing involves the repeated use of items and ‘Recycling’ means the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects.

Every year, the Earth yields billions of tons of natural resources and in the future, it will run out, also the wastes which are released into the environment cause various environmental issues; the last decade has been recorded as the hottest, and we have to face rising global temperatures, the melting of icecaps, continents on fire and rapid deforestation, etc.

If we don’t make significant and rapid changes, these environmental issues will continue and will directly affect the existence of the earth and humanity. A rapid increase in poverty, unemployment, and the disappearance of natural habitats can be the threats we will face as a community.

Why do we need recycling?

That’s why recycling is on the front line to save the future of our planet and humanity, also it is a key part of the circular economy, helping to protect our natural resources. Even the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in 2030 have paid their attention to the concept of recycling. And we can see that many individuals, state governments, and most global organizations have initiated their steps to promote recycling which is a green light to the whole world.

The theme of Global Recycling Day 2021 is #Recycling Heroes. This will recognize the people, places, and activities that showcase what an important role recycling plays in contributing to an environmentally stable planet and a greener future that will benefit all.

Let’s come together to think about what we throw away Even the waste can bring us a better opportunity.

References:

Global Recycling Day – https://www.globalrecyclingday.com/about/

By Rtr. Shermila Dewapurage