18 March is Global Recycling Day!
Awareness of recycling has increased significantly in recent years with more recycling initiatives, incentives for local communities, and with many local municipalities now collecting recyclable material as well as providing drop-off sites to residents.
Recycling is a fundamental aspect in the fight against climate change and the promotion of global sustainability. Recycling is projected to save over a billion tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030 (Global Recycling Foundation, 2023). Furthermore, recycled material can be considered as a highly valuable resource upon which humanity depends for the supply of raw materials.
Reducing use and then recycling what you do use are the first steps to limiting the amount of plastic and environmentally harmful materials from entering natural systems. However, this alone is not sufficient – we need to be proactive and find new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Accordingly, the theme for Global Recycling Day 2023 is Creative Innovation.
Here are some examples of creative innovation which can be applied from household to industrial level:
1. Upcycling
Upcycling involves transforming waste into something useful, sellable, or creative. For example, a team of local community members can use old plastic bags to make mats which can be sold and used in homes or businesses.
2. Composting
Composting is great way to use your food waste to enrich your garden’s soil with nutrients. You can compost at home using a simple bin. The @cityofcapetown now offers free composting bins to eligible residents (City of Cape Town, 2023). Find out if you qualify here.
What is SES doing?
At SES we strive to limit the impact our activities and premises by recycling all recyclable waste material and dropping it off at appropriately registered recycling facilities. Should you have a waste related environmental concern, SES can provide guidance regarding the processes to be followed to ensure that your facility is fully compliant with the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act No. 59 of 2008). Together we can ensure that your project is managed sustainably.
For professional environmental services, Contact us: info@sescc.net or (021) 554 5194.
References
City of Cape Town. (2023, March 8). Home Composting Programme. Retrieved from https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Activities-and-programmes/Cleaning-and-recycling/home-composting-programme
Global Recycling Foundation. (2023, March 3). Retrieved from Global Recycling Day: https://www.globalrecyclingday.com/recycling-heroes/2023-competition/