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.
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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.
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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.
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Glass, paper, metal and plastic are recyclable materials and there are numerous specialized entities in charge of processing this type of waste.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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More about Circular Economy Platform of the Americas visit: www.circulareconomyplatform.org
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Building a Circular Conscious Continent 🌱
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The UK construction sector is entering a decisive phase of sustainable construction focused on measurable carbon reduction rather than symbolic gestures. The launch of the UK’s first commercial‑scale carbon capture and storage facilities in the East Coast Cluster, operated by pX Group, marks significant progress in decarbonising the built environment. These links between energy‑intensive industries and new CO₂ transport and storage systems are reshaping the embodied carbon profile of essential materials such as cement and steel, critical to sustainable building design and eco‑friendly construction. The integration of low embodied carbon materials forms a foundation for the adoption of whole life carbon assessment methods and lifecycle assessment strategies now demanded across the supply chain.
Concrete innovation is accelerating as “green concrete” becomes a viable element of low carbon design. Manufacturers are scaling from trials to full delivery. JCB’s move to provide a 100% biodiesel option for tracked excavators demonstrates practical progress toward net zero carbon buildings and carbon neutral construction. Effective reductions depend on verified renewable building materials and traceable biofuels, requiring stricter sustainable material specification and transparent environmental product declarations (EPDs). Verified sourcing and supply are vital to minimising the carbon footprint of construction and improving resource efficiency in construction.
Across projects, whole life carbon thinking is now inseparable from life cycle cost analysis. Intensifying climate conditions—from escalating floods to drought stress—demand resilient, energy‑efficient buildings and green infrastructure designed using eco‑design for buildings principles. Resilience and sustainability are no longer optional performance indicators but integral to building lifecycle performance and sustainable building practices. The industry response is to secure supply from emerging low carbon construction materials clusters, adopt verified fuels and plant emissions data, and embed circular construction strategies.
The momentum reflects a commitment to environmental sustainability in construction, combining circular economy in construction models with frameworks such as BREEAM V7 to achieve net zero whole life carbon outcomes. Through transparent lifecycle assessment and life cycle thinking in construction, every project can demonstrate measurable progress in carbon footprint reduction and deliver the economic and environmental returns driving the transition to sustainable urban development.
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
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