Every year in France, a mountain of waste totalling almost315 million tonnes, underlines the urgency of adopting more sustainable practices. Since 2018, March 18 has been dedicated to World Recycling Day by the Bureau of International Recycling (BIC), a key initiative to raise awareness of the crucial importance of the circular economy in preserving our planet.
More than just a date, this day is a call to action, highlighting our collective responsibility to reduce, reuse and recycle. At the heart of this mobilization is the circular economy, an approach that aims to minimize waste by reintegrating materials into the production cycle. It’s emerging as a sustainable solution to overconsumption and the negative impact it has on our planet.
Recycling as a fundamental pillar of the ecological transition
Governments, businesses and environmental organizations are called upon to play a key role in promoting efficient recycling infrastructures, incentive policies and technological innovations. The aim is clear: to avoid the destruction of waste by incineration or landfill, by promoting the reuse and recycling of materials.
World Recycling Day is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and educate people about sorting and recycling. Campaigns such as « LesBonnesHabitudes » supported by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, ADEME and eco-organizations, aim to encourage the implementation of the 3Rs : Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
The environmental benefits of recycling and global initiatives
The essential role of recycling in the transition to a sustainable circular economy is illustrated by its significant environmental benefits, highlighting both the consequences of throwing away waste and the advantages of this crucial practice.
Preventing ocean contamination :
The uncontrolled dumping of waste, particularly plastic, poses a serious threat to the oceans, with devastating consequences. Plastic waste breaks down into microplastics, affecting marine life and accumulating in specific areas known as waste vortexes or « plastic continents ». These areas, mainly concentrated in the oceans, present major risks for marine biodiversity. Recycling acts as a crucial bulwark against this oceanic contamination by reducing the amount of plastic waste that reaches the oceans. By integrating these materials into the production cycle, we limit the spread of harmful waste, thus preserving marine ecosystems and their biodiversity.
Preserving natural resources :
The production of consumer goods puts considerable pressure on the planet’s natural resources. The extraction of raw materials for the manufacture of virgin products contributes to deforestation, loss of biodiversity and resource depletion. By giving end-of-life products a second life through recycling, we reduce our dependence on fresh raw materials. This helps preserve natural resources by extending the life of existing materials. Recycling therefore limits the destructive impact of extraction on the environment, and promotes a more sustainable use of natural resources.
Combating global warming:
The production of goods from virgin raw materials consumes energy and emits greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming. Recycling is a sustainable alternative in comparison, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. Opting for recycled materials rather than fresh raw materials reduces the need to extract, process and transport new resources. This reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is a crucial element in the fight against climate change. Recycling, as a more environmentally-friendly practice, thus offers a concrete way of contributing to the reduction of harmful impacts on the climate.
Despite these significant advantages, only 5% of the plastic produced worldwide is currently recycled, highlighting major geographical disparities. Challenges persist, particularly where governance of waste management is inadequate.
Global initiatives to encourage recycling
The global disparity in recycling implementation is not inevitable, says the expert. Economic and regulatory instruments are being put in place to guarantee the economic benefits of recycling. The European Union’s Green Pact is cited as a major example, with ambitious measures to encourage recycling, reuse and disposal of packaging waste.
The private sector also plays a key role in creating demand for recycled products, by incorporating them into consumer product packaging. These measures help to make the recycling operation profitable on a large scale.
Recyclable products include bottles, flasks, corks and other containers. However, the recyclability of certain products depends on the collection system specific to each territory. Efforts are underway to standardize these processes and encourage recycling, because if no significant action is taken, the amount of waste produced is set to increase by 70% by 2050.
The AGEC Act and the quest for circular resource management
In the context of World Recycling Day, it is crucial to highlight the measures taken at national level to promote circular resource management. In France, the AGEC Law (anti-waste for a circular economy) represents an ambitious legislative framework aimed at combating various forms of waste. Adopted in 2020, this law encourages waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. It encourages us to rethink our relationship with the objects that surround us, to make sustainable choices and to support waste reduction initiatives. The AGEC Act is part of a drive to build a sustainable future by encouraging more responsible resource management and actively promoting the transition to a circular economy.
It is with this circular economy in mind that CircularPlace has developed a marketplace for the resale of your equipment, goods and unsold non-food items between professionals, and puts you in touch with non-profit organizations to recover your products. You can also opt for a white-label solution which will enable your company to circularize your equipment internally and engage your employees in ecological issues.
Chemical recycling: A promising new approach
Chemical recycling, as a complement to conventional mechanical recycling, could extend the range of recyclable products. This approach, involving processes such as pyrolysis and hydrolysis, transforms complex plastics into monomers, which can then be used to create new plastics comparable to virgin materials.
European plastics producers plan to invest 7.2 billion euros in chemical recycling, estimating that by 2050, 60% of the world’s plastics production could be based on recycling. The European Union’s approval of the « mass balance » concept, linked to chemical recycling, is considered essential to achieving the objectives of the Green Pact 2030.
Ultimately, the « 3Rs » formula – reduce, reuse, recycle – remains the key, with the emphasis on reducing and reusing to complement the benefits of recycling. The reuse of plastic packaging, in particular, is growing significantly, underlining the growing importance of this approach in our quest for a more sustainable planet.
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