Global Recycling Foundation launches #RecyclingGoals challenge

Social media movement aims to ‘harness the power of sport' while promoting recycling.


Leading up to Global Recycling Day 2019, the Global Recycling Foundation has launched the #RecyclingGoals challenge, a social media movement that harnesses the power of football to inspire long-term recycling habits in young people across the world.

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Less than half (49 percent) of 16-to-34-year-olds say they recycle “all they can,” according to a survey conducted by Future Thinking, which is the lowest out of all the age groups. Through the campaign, the foundation hopes to motivate a movement of youth.

“Our vision is to connect the strong example the football industry sets for recycling with young people across the world,” says Ranjit Baxi, founder and president of Global Recycling Day. “With the #RecyclingGoals campaign, we aim to encourage as many people as possible to share the message of the importance of recycling, actively get involved in the challenge, and propel the energy of the social media movement.”

Social media users across the globe are asked to participate in the #RecyclingGoals challenge by:

  1. Capturing a video of themselves scoring a “Top Bins” goal (into a recycling bin in the top corner of the goal or just a normal goal) while pledging to make a long-term commitment to better recycling practices. For example, “I pledge to recycle all my plastic drinking bottles from today and I nominate John Smith to take the #RecyclingGoals challenge.”
  2. Sharing their videos and pictures of their challenge online using the hashtag #RecyclingGoals and tagging Global Recycling Day on Instagram or Facebook.

The second Global Recycling Day will take place March 18. On the day, #RecyclingGoals activities will take place on Carnaby Street, London. A temporary goal will be set up, complete with recycling bins in the top corners for participants to attempt their own #RecyclingGoals challenge.

The Global Recycling Foundation, formed by the Bureau of International Recycling October 2018, supports the promotion of recycling and the recycling industry across the world in order to showcase its vital role in preserving the future of the planet. It promotes Global Recycling Day, as well as other educational programs, awareness projects and innovation initiatives, which focus on the sustainable and inclusive development of recycling.