As we enter the second half of March, two important days\u00a0highlight the severity of this global issue:\u00a0<\/span>Global Recycling Day\u00a0<\/span><\/b>on 18 March and\u00a0<\/span>International Day of Zero Waste\u00a0<\/span><\/b>on 30 March.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Aligned with our March theme of \u2018<\/span>Think Big, Innovative Green<\/span><\/b>\u2019,\u00a0these days also\u00a0give us a chance to explore bold and creative solutions, from promoting\u00a0accurate\u00a0recycling practices to\u00a0eliminating\u00a0waste at the source.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Global Recycling Day<\/span><\/a>\u00a0was\u00a0established\u00a0in 2018 by the\u00a0<\/span>Global Recycling Foundation<\/span><\/a>, which supports the recycling industry and promotes the\u00a0vital role of recycling in\u00a0creating a\u00a0more circular,\u00a0sustainable\u00a0future.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In their\u00a0<\/span>original manifesto<\/span><\/a>, the foundation\u00a0designated\u00a0recyclables as the Seventh Resource, alongside\u00a0six of the Earth\u2019s\u00a0most important\u00a0natural resources \u2013 water, air, oil, natural gas,\u00a0coal\u00a0and minerals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The following statistics\u00a0highlight\u00a0the power of recycling. These can be found in the\u00a0<\/span>Seventh Resource manifesto<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and have originated\u00a0from\u00a0various studies\u00a0by the\u00a0<\/span>Bureau of International Recycling.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Recycling station in Simon Building, allowing staff and students to recycle cans, plastic bottles and paper easily.<\/p><\/div>\n By recycling more often, recycling properly, and staying up to date with local recycling guidelines,\u00a0we can all play a part in harnessing the power of the Seventh Resource and creating a\u00a0cleaner, more sustainable environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2022, the United Nations\u00a0(UN)\u00a0proclaimed 30 March as the\u00a0<\/span>International Day of Zero Waste<\/span><\/a>. This\u00a0is now\u00a0facilitated\u00a0by the\u00a0<\/span>United Nations Environment Programme<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>(UNEP) and the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>United Nations Human Settlements Programme<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(UN-Habitat).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Beyond raising awareness of zero-waste initiatives across the world, this annual observance is part of\u00a0the UN\u2019s resolution to\u00a0address\u00a0the\u00a0serious consequences\u00a0of waste, such as plastic pollution.\u00a0By working towards\u00a0zero waste, we are also advancing\u00a0the\u00a0Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This year\u2019s theme is\u00a0<\/span>food waste<\/span><\/b>, which is not only an environmental issue but also a humanitarian one. Below are some facts that highlight why tackling food waste is so important.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Transitioning to a more circular system for food waste could be key to tackling the issue. This could involve redistributing surplus food via food banks\u00a0and\u00a0turning inedible scraps into compost\u00a0or\u00a0renewable energy, which then supports new food production.\u00a0Achieving\u00a0this\u00a0would require\u00a0action\u00a0from all levels \u2013\u00a0from\u00a0individuals to\u00a0businesses and governments.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most of us are\u00a0probably familiar\u00a0with recycling paper, plastics,\u00a0cans\u00a0and glass bottles. However, what do you do with your batteries,\u00a0broken electronics,\u00a0Tetra\u00a0Pak\u00a0cartons, and other less common waste that\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0go into the household wheelie bins?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This\u00a0<\/span>downloadable Easy Eco\u00a0For\u00a0All\u00a0guide<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(p. 3\u20136)\u00a0will\u00a0likely have\u00a0the answers\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0looking for, including locations of recycling stations across campus and a\u00a0list\u00a0of\u00a0supermarkets that\u00a0are happy recycle things for you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Waste-related activities on the NoTimeToWaste platform.<\/p><\/div>\n The\u00a0NoTimeToWaste\u00a0platform allows users to complete sustainability- and wellbeing- related activities in exchange for green points. Users with the most points at the end of each month will be awarded with vouchers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some activities relevant to this month include donating used items, buying second-hand, using leftovers, and reusing containers.\u00a0<\/span>Register now and check out the full list of actions available.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whether you are moving into new accommodation or\u00a0moving out of an office, consider the\u00a0<\/span>Furniture4Reuse store<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in the Simon Building\u00a0as your first stop for obtaining\u00a0new furniture\u00a0or disposing of unwanted items.\u00a0By reusing furniture across campus or donating them to charities and external organisations, Furniture4Reuse has saved approximately\u00a0<\/span>140.1 tonnes of furniture in 2022<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bee Cup<\/p><\/div>\n Most takeaway cups and bowls for hot drinks and food are not recyclable due to their plastic lining.\u00a0To reduce\u00a0waste, as well as\u00a0their associated costs\u00a0and\u00a0carbon emissions, the University has launched the\u00a0<\/span>Bee Cup and Bee Bowl<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 reusable alternatives that are free for staff and students to borrow at most University outlets.\u00a0Start using them by\u00a0<\/span>downloading the\u00a0Vytal\u00a0app<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To find out more about Environmental Sustainability in FBMH, visit the\u00a0Faculty\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>intranet page<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>website<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or contact\u00a0<\/span>srbmh@manchester.ac.uk<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\nGlobal Recycling Day<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/178\/2026\/03\/Recycling-Station-225x300.jpg\")
\n
International Day of Zero Waste<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
How to get involved<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Easy Eco\u00a0For\u00a0All booklet\u00a0<\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/178\/2026\/03\/NTTW-Waste-Activities-300x182.jpeg\")
NoTimeToWaste\u00a0<\/h5>\n
Furniture4Reuse\u00a0<\/h5>\n
Bee Cup and Bee Bowl\u00a0<\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/178\/2026\/03\/Bee-Cup-225x300.jpg\")
Related<\/h1>\n
Related posts:<\/h3>