Every year on March 18, the world observes Global Recycling Day. It is a crucial moment to reflect on our consumption patterns and the urgent need for a circular economy. As the global population grows, so does the demand for resources, leading to excessive waste generation. Despite increasing efforts to promote recycling, the world is far from achieving sustainable waste management.
The alarming reality of waste generation
According to the World Bank, annual municipal solid waste (MSW) generation stands at 2.01 billion tons. It is enough to fill 822,000 Olympic swimming pools (World Bank, 2023). Worse yet, this figure is projected to rise to 3.8 billion tons by 2050, posing severe environmental challenges (United Nations Environment Programme & ISWA, 2023). Currently, recycling and composting recover only 19% of MSW, while improper management affects at least 33%, leading to pollution and resource depletion. (World Bank, 2023).
Declining circularity and urgent action needed
The 2024 Circularity Gap Report highlights a worrying trend: the global circularity rate—the share of secondary materials used in production—has declined by 21% in the past five years. This means that most materials entering the economy are still virgin resources, increasing environmental pressure (Circularity Gap Report, 2024). However, some countries are making progress. In 2023, 11.8% of materials used in the EU came from recycling, with the Netherlands leading at 30.6%, followed by Italy (20.8%) and Malta (19.8%) (Eurostat, 2024).
Recycling as a solution: key sectors making an impact
- Plastic: Only 9% of plastic waste is recycled globally, while nearly 50% ends up in landfills (OECD, 2019). Regulatory measures, like the EU’s ban on single-use plastics, are crucial in reducing plastic pollution.
- Glass: Although 76% of glass packaging was recycled in the EU in 2023, globally, the rate remains at a mere 21% (Close the Glass Loop, 2023). Given that glass can take up to a million years to degrade, boosting recycling is essential.
- Paper: The European paper recycling rate stood at 70.5% in 2022, with a target to reach 76% by 2030 (CEPI, 2023).
- Metal: Aluminum remains one of the most sustainable materials, with 74.5% of all aluminum ever produced still in use today. Recycling aluminum cuts carbon emissions by 94% compared to producing new aluminum (International Aluminum Institute, 2024).
- E-Waste: The fastest-growing waste stream globally, people and businesses discarded 62 million tons of electronic waste in 2022—equivalent to 1.5 million trucks circling the Earth’s equator (Global E-Waste Monitor, 2024).
Innovations in waste recycling technologies
New technologies are transforming the recycling industry, making waste management more efficient and sustainable. One such innovation is chemical recycling, which breaks down plastics into their molecular components, so manufacturers can reuse them to create new plastic materials. Unlike traditional mechanical recycling, which degrades plastic over time, chemical recycling can produce high-quality materials suitable for food packaging and medical use.
Another breakthrough is AI-powered waste sorting systems. Advanced robotic sorting machines, powered by artificial intelligence, can accurately identify and separate different materials at high speeds, increasing recycling efficiency. For example, companies like AMP Robotics use AI-driven robots to recognize over 100 categories of recyclables, improving sorting accuracy and reducing contamination (AMP Robotics, 2023).
The path forward: cities and businesses must lead the change
Sustainable cities play a crucial role in advancing circular economies. Investing in efficient waste collection, improved recycling infrastructure, and awareness campaigns can significantly boost recycling rates. Additionally, businesses must embrace eco-design principles, ensuring that products are made for reuse, repair, and recycling.
Education also plays a key role in shaping sustainable habits. Teaching children and students about waste recycling practices from an early age can have a long-term impact on sustainability efforts. New Polis has previously published an article about successful recycling initiatives in schools, which you can read here.
On this Global Recycling Day, let’s commit to reducing waste, increasing recycling efforts, and supporting policies that promote sustainability. The future of our planet depends on the choices we make today.
