Every year, billions of tons of finite natural resources are transformed into consumables. At some point, there will be nothing left. That’s why we must, as a planet, rethink what we throw away and see it as an opportunity rather than waste.

National and global sustainability initiatives help to spread the word about eco-friendliness and encourage people to get involved. At GP, we are celebrating Global Recycling Day (18th March) by encouraging everyone to get involved in recycling, waste reduction, and other sustainable habits. Our mission is to play our part in building a greener tomorrow, from our facilities to your home.

Global Recycling Day 2022

Global Recycling Day began in 2018 to recognise and celebrate the importance recycling plays in preserving our planet’s resources and securing our future. The movement has two overarching missions:

1. To remind world leaders that recycling is simply too important not to be a global issue and that a common, joined-up approach to recycling is urgently needed.

2. To encourage people across the planet to think of resources, not waste, when it comes to the goods around us – until this happens, we simply will not award recycled goods the true value and repurpose they deserve.

The importance of ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’

As the Global Recycling Foundation acknowledges, we are facing a climate emergency of unparalleled proportions. With conditions worsening, it is important to act now. There are many ways in which we can all do our part in protecting the Earth’s natural resources and contributing to a ‘circular economy.’ The mantra “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is more than a way of life or business; for us at GP, it’s a promise to put our planet first.

Reduce
The first place to start is reducing the amount we use and consume daily. Cutting down on disposable objects and single-use plastics is a notable example of reducing the amount of waste you produce. Sometimes, using disposable objects may be necessary, in which case it is best to look for options that are made, preferably locally, with recycled/sustainable materials.

Recycle
The Earth has six main, important natural resources: water, air, oil, natural gas, coal, and minerals. These resources are finite and will run out, so we all need to be mindful about the materials we use and products we buy. However, there is a solution to this issue: the Seventh Resource, also known as recycling. Recycling helps to preserve the six precious primary resources, with 40% of the world’s raw material needs coming from recycled materials. Recycling helps to combat climate change by saving over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions, as well as offsetting annual CO2 emissions generated by the aviation industry. It also boosts employment around the world, creating jobs in the recycling industry and contributing to global GDP.

GP’s sustainability commitment
At GP, we are committed to developing more sustainable sources of power, helping to build a greener tomorrow. One of our focus areas is reducing waste – we are constantly working towards zero waste in all our battery manufacturing facilities. Our manufacturing facility in Malaysia has been awarded Gold UL Zero Waste to Landfill Validation. We also strive to use recycled materials when creating our products, with many of our rechargeable battery models comprising at least 10% recycled material, and plastic-free packaging.

Join the movement #RecyclingHeroes #RethinkRechargeReCyko, share your own global recycling day and nominate your unsung hero in your community!