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Global Recycling Day 2025
Since 2018, Global Recycling Day has taken place on March 18th raising awareness for its' importance. Find out why we think rainwater capture will be the next big recycling movement and how we can apply lessons to raising awareness around water resources.
- Recycling
- Waste
- Sustainable
We already do so much more recycling than in the past, and what this awareness day does is to encourage the promotion of even more sustainable practices. Even with recycling being better than it has in the past, there are still things we have to learn, things we can and can't recycle, after all, practice makes progress (not perfect).
Why Recycling is Important
Recycling fights climate change and helps sustainability, one way in which it does this is by preserving natural resources. By recycling materials we have no need to extract new non-renewable resources and the energy intensive nature of processing it, thus saving energy and resources.
It reduces landfill and pollution which is harmful to the environment as well as creating less materials sent to incinerators which will have an impact in reducing emissions. It is important to note that retrospectively recycling and making the conscious effort to recycle is important, but it also emphasises the importance in making smarter decisions to begin with, such as picking recyclable and sustainable materials in the first place.
How Collective Action Made Recycling Second Nature in the UK
Global Recycling Day highlights how collective action drives transformative change. Small actions from all of us add up to a huge impact. Recycling, once considered a niche or “fringe” activity in the UK, is now second nature for most households. But how did we get here?
The shift didn’t happen overnight, it’s the result of decades of campaigning, activism, and legislation.
- Campaigning and Activism
- Collective Action
- Legislation
Environmental organisations and local community groups worked tirelessly to educate people about the benefits of recycling. Campaigns such as “Recycle Now” made recycling approachable and emphasised the small changes individuals could make to contribute to a greener future.
From neighbourhood clean-ups to school initiatives, the power of community played a pivotal role in embedding recycling into everyday life. People began to understand that their individual contributions mattered.
Governments introduced policies to mandate recycling, like roadside collection schemes, landfill taxes, and stricter waste management regulations. These policies made recycling not just an option but a societal expectation.
The Result?
The UK now recycles around 44% of its household waste, compared to a mere 5% in the 1990s (source: UK Government Waste Data). This progress is a testament to what can be achieved through collective action, education, and policy.
Rainwater Capture: The Next Recycling Movement
While recycling has become second nature, it’s time to champion another critical environmental practice: rainwater capture. Just as recycling reduces resource strain and pollution, harvesting rainwater can address pressing environmental challenges, including:
- Water Scarcity
- Surface Water Flooding
- Sewage Pollution
With rising populations and climate change, water resources are under increasing pressure. According to the Climate Change Committee England, Scotland and Wales are projected to be in deficit by 800 million to 3 billion litres per day by 2050. Collecting and reusing rainwater can ease this burden.
Urbanisation has reduced natural drainage, leading to flash floods and overburdened sewer systems. Rainwater capture systems, like Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), can prevent and reduce surface water from overwhelming our urban areas.
During heavy rain, combined sewer systems often discharge untreated sewage into rivers and oceans. Rainwater harvesting can reduce the volume of water entering these systems, helping prevent pollution.
Where Are We Now, and What Needs to Happen?
Currently, rainwater harvesting is in its early stages of adoption. While some companies and households have implemented systems, it is far from being a widespread practice. For rainwater capture to reach the same level of acceptance as recycling, several steps are needed:
- Legislation: Governments should introduce policies that make rainwater capture mandatory in new developments, just as recycling bins became mandatory for households.
- Infrastructure Investment: Encourage the integration of SuDS in urban planning, which slows and collects runoff water.
- Education and Awareness: Raise public awareness about the environmental and economic benefits of rainwater harvesting. Simple systems, like water butts for gardens, can be a starting point for households.
At Our Rainwater, we are committed to making rainwater capture the next big environmental movement. Our mission is to work with communities, businesses, and policymakers to make this practice accessible and impactful. We’re currently rolling out innovative systems to make rainwater capture easier for homeowners and businesses alike.
What You Can Do
- Complete our short survey in just a few minutes and contribute to a more sustainable future!
- Install a rainwater harvesting system at your home.
- Encourage local councils to invest in SuDS.
- Support policies that mandate rainwater collection in new developments.
- Share knowledge and start conversations with friends and family about the importance of water conservation.
It is also important to note that retrospectively recycling and making the conscious effort to recycle is important, but it also emphasises the importance in making smarter decisions to begin with, such as picking recyclable and sustainable materials in the first place
Conclusion
Global Recycling Day reminds us of the incredible progress we’ve made in sustainability, but it’s also a call to action for the future. Recycling wasn’t always mainstream, it became a widespread movement through the efforts of campaigners, communities, and legislators. Now, it’s time to apply those same principles to rainwater capture.
Water is a precious resource, and by making rainwater harvesting a common practice, we can combat water scarcity, reduce flooding, and prevent pollution. Together, with collective action and a commitment to smarter choices, we can make rainwater capture the next great environmental success story.