Awareness Call on Recycling Day

18 March, Wednesday, will be celebrated as Global Recycling Day worldwide.Sustainable Production and Consumption Association has outlined 4 tasks we must undertake on recycling and called for recycling activities. Every year, 18 March is celebrated as Global Recycling Day to draw attention to recyclables, which are considered the seventh resource that will save the future of the world. Among recyclables that provide the greatest support for the conservation of primary resources—including water, air, coal, oil, natural gas and minerals—and for the goal of a sustainable world are: paper, wood, glass, metal, plastic, oil, rubber, batteries, automobiles, and electrical and electronic equipment that are present everywhere in our lives. Istanbul Technical University Faculty Member and President of Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D) Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu, who says recyclables should be seen not as waste but as raw material resources, made special statements on 18 March Global Recycling Day, celebrated under the leadership of the Global Recycling Foundation.

Recycling heroes wanted

Pointing out that regardless of their origin, recyclable waste remains as domestic and national raw materials for our country after being consumed here, Prof. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu said, "Recyclables are our national wealth; we must evaluate them in the best way and add this green power to our country's economy." Prof. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu noted that SÜT-D has maintained the Electric and Electronic Waste (E-waste) Hero and Low Carbon Hero awards since 2015 with the goal of creating awareness and consciousness on sustainability management, and pointed out that this year's main theme of Global Recycling Day is also 'recycling heroes'. Prof. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu made a call to children, youth, institutions, civil society organizations and cities, inviting them to summarize the work they have carried out related to recycling and share it with them at www.sut-d.org/iletisim. Stating that they will announce Recycling Heroes as SÜT-D, Prof. Dr. Karaosmanoğlu added that they will issue certificates for successful work.

4 tasks for the heroes of recycling at home

Emphasizing that recycling is a path of collective solidarity for the world's future and that recycling starts at home, Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu outlined 4 tasks that those who want to be recycling heroes can easily accomplish:

1. Find out where the nearest recycling bin to you is located. Even if there isn't one in your neighborhood, there is certainly a recycling bin at a nearby shopping center, school, hospital or similar place; start by identifying this.
2. Pay attention to the principle of avoiding waste in product use. Don't buy if you don't need it, reduce your consumption, live with a goal of minimal waste, and prioritize recyclable materials, reusing them as much as possible.
3. Transform recycling into an enjoyable part of daily life. If you make the recycling process easier with your family and turn it into a fun activity, you will be much more successful. Place recycling bins in your home near your trash cans. To help your children recognize and sort waste, add appropriate colors and visuals to the compartments for each type of waste.
4. If you are doing these things, it means you are a recycling hero. Share these good practices on social media so they become an example to others. And even tell everyone how you succeeded; perhaps you will inspire someone else.