Global Recycling Foundation urges recyclers to follow COP24 agreement

Governments around the world agreed to a robust set of guidelines for implementing the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement during COP24, Katowice, Poland, in December 2018. The Global Recycling Foundation reports that it is encouraging the recycling industry to take heed to the COP24 agreement and continue to play a major role in preserving the planet’s resources and improving the circular economy.

According to a Global Recycling Foundation news release, the foundation is also calling on recycling businesses and organizations across the world to impress on their local communities, municipalities and governments to take action as soon as possible.

The COP24 agreement, dubbed the Katowice Climate Package, seeks to promote greater international cooperation. According to the Global Recycling Foundation, this package is a key pillar of the Global Recycling Day campaign. In 2018, Global Recycling Day campaigned for world leaders to commit to seven key areas, including implementing a focus on international legislation, increased recycling education and awareness on these key issues.

“The Global Recycling Foundation applauds the achievement at COP24 in reaching this agreement and the commitment to tackling climate change,” says Ranjit Baxi, founding president of the Global Recycling Foundation and president of the Brussels-based Bureau of International Recycling (BIR). “It’s our responsibility and collective duty to protect our planet. Recycling and the circular economy are crucial to achieving this and beating climate change. We also welcome Defra’s new strategy of working with packaging manufactures to promote responsible disposal and recycling of goods. Such strategies are key to growing a circular economy.

“The Global Recycling Foundation is calling on the recycling industry to recognize their role in improving the circular economy and alleviating the effects of climate change. We have to recycle more and do it now.”

Baxi says Global Recycling Day launched in 2018 to encourage the world to think more about its resources. He says the Global Recycling Foundation plans to support the growth of this program in 2019, as well. 

According to a Global Recycling Foundation news release, recycling efforts can help to save more than 700 million metric tons of CO2 emissions every year based on a study conducted by BIR. In order to live up to climate change agreements and reduce the world’s collective carbon footprint, governments, organizations and individuals around the world need to invest in the growth of recycling industries, the Global Recycling Foundation reports in a news release.