Recycling is reported throughout human history but has come a long way since the time when humans reused broken tools and pottery when materials were scarce.
.
May 17 marks World Recycling Day, officially declared by UNESCO, and aimed at raising awareness on the importance of recycling as a tool for proper waste management and to paliate climate change.
.
But what is recycling?
Recycling is understood as the mechanism through which a certain material is processed to later give it a new use. In this way, we put that material back into operation and prevent it from becoming waste.
.
Glass, paper, metal and plastic are recyclable materials and there are numerous specialized entities in charge of processing this type of waste.
.
Reduce and reuse before recycling
Before recycling, we should consider reducing and reusing. After all, the purpose remains the same: making the most of resources and reducing waste.
.
We can reduce our waste by shopping mindfully, trying to find unpacked goods or products with a biodegradable packaging. It is key to reduce plastic packaging, as plastic waste is currently the biggest pollution problem we are facing.
.
Simple actions such as using tote bags or buying unpacked products can make a huge difference.
But there’s also a lot we can do by reusing materials. We can give written paper a new use, by using it to take notes, or reuse plastic containers to give them a new use at home.
.
More about Circular Economy Platform of the Americas visit: www.circulareconomyplatform.org
.
Building a Circular Conscious Continent 🌱
#workersday2022 #diadeltrabajador2022
.
#circulareconomy #economíacircular #economiacircular #inclusiveeconomy #circulareconomyplatform #circulareconomyforum #foroeconomiacircular #cefa2017 #cefa2018 #cefa2019 #arubatv #aruba #cepamericas #zerowaste #sustainabledevelopment #desarollosostenible #cradletocradle #c2c #blueeconomy #biomimicry #closedloopcycleproduction #ecodesign #upcycle #sustainabledesign #cefaV
A £400m UK government loan to the Tropical Forests Forever Facility tightens the link between embodied carbon and real forest outcomes. Bio‑based and renewable building materials will now be judged on credible, deforestation‑free supply chains as much as on glossy lifecycle assessment or whole life carbon assessment outputs, driving wider use of environmental product declarations (EPDs), green building materials and green building products. Expect stronger traceability, circular construction strategies and end‑of‑life reuse in construction when specifying low embodied carbon materials and low carbon construction materials to cut the carbon footprint of construction and support the circular economy in construction.
Updated damp and mould guidance from the Chartered Institute of Building and the Chartered Institute of Housing reframes indoor environmental quality as a health obligation, pressing social landlords towards whole‑house ventilation, insulation upgrades and continuous monitoring. The shift embeds sustainable building design and energy‑efficient buildings as compliance issues, with implications for life cycle cost, building lifecycle performance and net zero whole life carbon pathways recognised by BREEAM and BREEAM v7.
A new retrofit procurement guide uses public spending to expand capacity, create local jobs and tackle skills shortages by baking training and labour targets into contracts. This gives sustainable construction and decarbonising the built environment delivery teeth, promoting life cycle thinking in construction, resource efficiency in construction and eco‑design for buildings, alongside sustainable material specification and low carbon building upgrades that support carbon neutral construction.
Escalating climate risks—from European wildfires to transboundary smoke and cascading Himalayan floods—are accelerating environmental sustainability in construction and sustainable urban development. Design for resilience is becoming core to net zero carbon buildings and green construction, with fire‑hardening, smoke filtration, heat‑safe interiors and green infrastructure specified to reduce the environmental impact of construction, deliver carbon footprint reduction over whole life carbon and strengthen eco‑friendly construction and sustainable architecture.
Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do
get in touch.
Let's chat!
WLC Assistant
Ask me about sustainability
Hi! I'm your Whole Life Carbon assistant. I can help you learn about sustainability, carbon assessment, and navigate our resources. How can I help you today?