There is no time like the present to make a change in the world. November 15th is America Recycles Day, with the goal of encouraging people to implement recycling practices into their everyday lives. You might think that recycling takes a lot of effort, but it really doesn’t. All it takes is a little extra research and energy, but that’s what making a difference is all about. Climate change is a real thing, and recycling can help keep the planet happy and healthy. By repurposing waste and decreasing greenhouse gasses, recycling is one of the answers to the equation. If you want to make a real difference, recycling and practicing sustainability is the way to go.
However, recycling and bringing awareness to the environment needs to happen more than just one day a year. Sustainability needs to become a regular practice in order for it to have a real effect. Did you know that the United States currently has a recycling rate of 32%, with the goal to reach 50% by 2030? This means that the clock is ticking for that goal to be reached, with only five more years left. In order to hit that milestone, both manufacturing companies and consumers at home need to come together and increase sustainability.
“Increasing the recycling rate to 50% is a team effort. Both CPG companies and consumers at home can make positive changes to their routines to help keep the environment clean. It’s all about implementing recycling practices that will help make the recycling process as efficient as possible,” says JD Ambati, Founder & CEO of EverestLabs.
The biggest way to make significant changes to the environment is to be proactive about recycling. At the household level, people can do their own research on what can and cannot be recycled. Unfortunately, there are no universal guidelines when it comes to recycling, so it’s important for people to do their due diligence and get the facts. The next step is to take continuous action about sustainability. One way to do this is by sorting trash and making sure it gets put in their respective bins. This will ensure that recyclable materials are being brought to recycling facilities, and other waste is being brought to landfills. Things cannot be recycled if they do not make it to the recycling centers.
On the manufacturing side, CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) companies can invest in more sustainable packing and technology that increases the sorting process. When companies use biodegradable materials it will create a chain reaction of sustainability. Consumers who purchase those products will then have a chance to recycle the materials, and the process continues. Technology is also a key factor in this because AI robotic technology is making the recycling sorting process more efficient. This means more materials will get recycled and reused, creating a circular economy. Teamwork is what will create a huge difference in the environment.
“For consumers, understanding what can and cannot be recycled is essential to keeping recyclables out of landfills and contaminants out of the recycling system. CPG companies can adopt technologies like AI and robotics to optimize packaging design and improve recovery rates in recycling facilities, advancing a circular economy for their packaging. On the governmental level, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws can expand consumer access to recycling and promote higher recovery rates. Every stakeholder plays a part in recycling, and by working together, we can achieve that 50% goal,” Ambati says.
Recycling cannot just be designated to one day a year, it needs to be a common practice year-round. Starting now is the best option, but you can also use your New Year’s resolutions as inspiration to practice sustainability and recycling. Whatever inspires you, use that as fuel to make the world a better place. Making a difference doesn’t have to happen overnight, nor does it have to be something revolutionary. Recycling and sustainability has a direct impact on the planet, and you can take pride in knowing you did your part to make the environment as healthy as possible. The 50% is on the horizon if everyone starts now.