For information only - not an official document
UNIS/OUS/390
14 March 2018
VIENNA, 18 March (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promotes a circular economy to improve the environmental performance, resource efficiency, and productivity of existing and new industries.
The aim of the circular economy is to keep the amount of residual waste as small as possible and to rely on recycled resources for the major share of economic processes. In this context, recycling plays a key role in achieving a more sustainable production and consumption model. The consumer has an important part to play, but manufacturers also have an important responsibility.
Eliminating waste from the industrial chain by reusing materials to the maximum extent possible promises production cost savings and less resource dependence. To achieve this industry needs to 'design for recycling'. This means manufacturers engaging in the repurposing of materials - reducing waste and integrating 'end-of-life' planning at design stage.
Global Recycling Day will take place for the first time on 18 March, and is an opportunity to get people across the globe to focus on a better future for the planet. The Day is an initiative of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), and is supported by UNIDO.
"UNIDO works with governments and with the private sector to encourage industry to 'design for recycling'. It is necessary to promote a sustainable solution that eliminates the concept of waste and transforms it into an opportunity, a resource for sustainable production," affirms Stephan Sicars, Director of Environment at UNIDO.
Ranjit Baxi, BIR President, believes that "the world's first Global Recycling Day is a vitally important new date in our global calendar. To truly harness the power of recycling, we must adopt a global approach to its collection, processing and use, and this Day recognizes the global nature of the industry and the issue".
Global Recycling Day is about action and taking better stewardship of the goods and materials created, used and disposed of every day. To support this initiative:
• Sign the BIR's change.org petition
• Do something to make a positive change, and share it using #GlobalRecyclingDay on your social media platforms.
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For further information, please visit:
www.globalrecyclingday.com
or contact:
Klaus
Tyrkko
Chief of the Stockholm Convention Division, UNIDO
Email: K.TYRKKO[at]unido.org
