Let’s Get Creative for Global Recycling Day 2023

‍Global Recycling Day lands on March 18th. This day serves as a reminder to refresh your sustainability initiatives and ensure your offices are climate-friendly.

Business waste accounts for 25% of all waste in the UK, so it's essential to recycle wherever possible and reduce harmful environmental impact (1). This year's theme is ‘Creative Innovation’, and the Global Recycling Foundation is calling on people to develop new and inspired solutions to tackle the climate crisis (2).

Why do we need Global Recycling Day?

“Recycling saves over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions and is set to increase to 1 billion tons by 2030” (2). Recycling is also called the ‘Seventh Resource’ and is a vital part of a circular economy, helping to protect natural resources. Global Recycling day aims to recognise and celebrate the importance of recycling and the ways in which everyone can help the planet (2).

The Global Recycling Foundation has two clear missions.

1. To stress and importance of recycling and climate protection to world leaders

2. To ask people across the planet to “resource, not waste” (2).

From individuals, entrepreneurs, SME’s and large corporations, everyone has a part to play. And, with this year’s theme of ‘Creative Innovation’, it's time to discover new ways to recycle and positively impact the planet.

‘Creative Innovation’ and Recycling at Work

Creative innovation is a concept that has been introduced previously, especially within business. CEOs and managers are natural problem solvers; implementing new ways to help solve a problem is the foundation of business.

Why not apply this to your sustainability strategy?

Recycling, reducing waste and saving energy are attainable goals within the workplace. Creative innovation asks you to apply problem-solving to the concept of climate-positive action. “Humans have consumed more resources in the last 50 years than in all previous history”. This is why the need for the Seventh Resource (recycling) is more crucial than ever before (3).

Recycling and sustainability initiatives are essential for the longevity of the planet as we know it. But having a climate pledge also helps position your business in a great light and shows how much you value the environment.

A recent survey found that 33% of UK adults are willing to pay more for sustainable products. This demonstrates how having environmentally-friendly approaches can influence your brand image (4).

Now, you may already have some colour-coded recycling bins in place, but where do you go next? Use these actionable recycling tips and improve your climate action today.

How to Recycle at Work

1. Print on both sides - save on paper and ink!

2. Or, better yet - go paperless if you can. At Each Person, we are completely paperless and utilise digital tools to send and share documents

3. Compost food waste. Food waste accounts for 6% of global emissions so make sure to add a compostable food waste bin to your kitchen (5).

4. Keep filtered water in the fridge or at a station to avoid using plastic bottles.

5. Encourage reusable coffee cups and mugs to avoid single-use. You could even gift personalised or branded mugs to staff to use.

Sustainability Initiatives at Each Person

At Each Person, we’re a pretty great example of a sustainability-focused business. We're the only reward and recognition company to partner with Carbon Footprint to allow employees to give something back with their rewarded Epoints. We also plant a tree for every employee and Ark2030 to fund initiatives in the race to net positive. We also donate 5% of our company’s profits to environmental charities and are completely paperless! Simple yet powerful action to help tackle climate change. 

We are proud to hold sustainability and climate positivity as core values. And it is our mission to work with progressive-thinking businesses that invest in their people and the environment for a sustainable future. 

To learn more about our company ethos and how we can help businesses like yours, head to https://www.eachperson.com/about.

Sources:

1. Business Waste Statistic - https://www.ereseurope.co.uk/post/how-much-waste-do-businesses-produce 
2. Global Recycling Day - About - https://www.globalrecyclingday.com/about/ 
3. Global Recycling Day - Seventh Resource - https://www.globalrecyclingday.com/seventh-resource/ 
4. Third of customers willing to pay for sustainable products - https://www.consultancy.uk/news/29424/third-of-consumers-willing-to-pay-more-for-sustainable-products 
5. Food Waste is responsible for 6% greenhouse gas emissions - https://ourworldindata.org/food-waste-emissions

By Ellie Pinder, Published March 16, 2023