Recycling & the Dooughnut

Details: Written by: Glenn and Rick; Category: Recycling & the Dooughnut; Hits: 15

To tackle e-waste, teach kids to be responsible consumers The Conversation Saidia Ali

Environmental Scientist, PhD Candidate, Toronto Metropolitan University November 12, 2025The world is undergoing rapid electronification and digital transformation, reshaping how we live. Many of us have numerous electronic devices around us at all times, from smartphones and watches to our home appliances and cars.A sharp increase in e-waste has accompanied the surge in electronic equipment. In 2022, 62 million tons of e-waste was produced globally. Canada’s e-waste tripled between 2000 and 2019 and is expected to reach 1.2 billion kilograms by 2030. These statistics demonstrate an urgent environmental crisis that demands new ways of thinking and educating future generations. A key part of tackling the problem is educating people about it. As educators, we need to expand school education to include resource recovery, sustainability and pro-environmental behaviours to inform students on what to do with their old gadgets. The language and techniques we use to communicate this issue in classrooms play a significant role in helping children understand and engage with safe e-waste management. Schools and educators must equip youth of all ages with the values, attitudes, knowledge and skills necessary to manage e-waste responsibly.

Gaps and limitations.....My research uses machine learning tools to develop effective circular economy policies focused on e-waste management in Canada, with insights reflecting Ontario’s evolving practices. In Ontario, schools are failing to provide comprehensive and consistent e-waste education, leaving a dangerous gap in our students’ environmental literacy. Environmental education in Ontario introduces students to the concept of environmental stewardship and the provincially mandated curriculum does include it in a cross-disciplinary manner. However, due to decreased priority and budget cuts, attention on e-waste and resource conservation is absent. According to a 2024 report by EcoSchools Canada, a number of obstacles exist to successful school e-waste management such as COVID-19, provincial inconsistencies, curriculum disconnect, custodian participation, poor school engagement and a lack of key infrastructure and information. The Ontario government and municipalities have made efforts in revising the school curriculum, with non-profits stepping in to help bridge the knowledge gap. For example, in municipalities like Peel Region, teachers’ resources include a plethora of interactive, online activities and lesson plans that focus on the 3Rs and proper sorting, as well as additional workshops, events, games and other resources for students in grades K to 8. Likewise, Durham Region offers a specific presentation, including one for grades 7 and 8 entitled “Electronic Waste: The Hidden Impact of Our Gadgets,” allowing students to discover the possible environmental, social and economic consequences of devices. Several schools are also active participants of the EcoSchools program, a certification initiative originally developed by the Toronto District School Board to promote environmental education and action. The program offers opportunities for student-led projects such as e-waste collection drives and awareness campaigns, providing meaningful experiential learning. Although these are valuable and necessary, the focus and depth of these initiatives are often at the discretion of individual teachers and schools, leading to an uneven and often limited understanding of the e-waste problem.........read on https://theconversation.com/to-tackle-e-waste-teach-kids-to-be-responsible-consumers-265712

Details: Written by: Glenn and Rick; Category: Recycling & the Dooughnut; Hits: 21

A Circular Economy — an economy where waste is designed out — might work. When I first heard about the idea of circularity, I thought it was a load of hogwash, a lofty buzzword that corporations across several industries have latched onto to sell their latest products or trick consumers into believing they’re operating ethically for people, animals, and the environment. As my colleague Sam Delgado reported for Vox, voluntary corporate social responsibility programs are notorious for being vague about the actual impacts of their supply chains (and lately, some companies pledging to be more environmentally friendly have abandoned efforts to do so). International regulation certainly isn’t where it needs to be to ensure the rights of workers and those who bear the burden of living near factories and landfills. Yet according to industry experts, designers, activists, and even the United Nations, a circular economy would help separate consumption from some of its ills and get us back on track to meeting key climate goals. (About 3.3 percent of global emissions originate from the waste sector, but that’s not including the emissions during the production process in the textile, plastics, and technology industries. Textiles, for example, are responsible for about 2-8 percent of emissions, according to the UN.) It’s not a far-off idea, either: There are government-led initiatives and programs dedicated to solving how circularity would work. Scientists are figuring out how to recycle synthetic fabrics and lithium batteries and all sorts of materials. Brands are trying to design products that take end-of-life into consideration. These are all steps in the right direction. There’s just one question: Is this really possible?

Circularity, explained...... I like to think of the circular economy as a jacked-up “reduce, reuse, recycle” system. The hope is to keep materials in use for as long as possible with minimal waste, and to do so on a much wider scale. Right now, there are two main reasons why a lot of what we recycle doesn’t ever actually get made into new things: It’s either prohibitively expensive to do, or we just don’t know how to recycle that material yet (like most plastics). A circular economy also would aim to prevent waste from happening in the first place by designing products made to be recycled. “At the end of the day, it’s very much a system infrastructure change because you need to demonstrate resources, reverse logistics, and all these things,” said Hilde van Duijn, managing director of the Circle Economy Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to double global circularity by 2032.

“The most tricky part about the transition to surface is the mindset.”Consumption, or the purchasing of new goods to satiate some need or desire, is a cornerstone of the modern economy for privileged countries and especially for the US. When quality of living goes up, so does consumption. And the production of consumer goods, for many low-income countries, allows for a chance of upward mobility through wages, at least in theory. In practice, however, the speed at which goods are made today has normalized cutting corners in quality and in wages for the people who make these items possible — all while the average consumer becomes trained to expect that a shirt should cost less than a dollar or a pillowcase should sell for $3.78. This dynamic is what helped push the US to become a top producer of garbage.

“Consumption is like a drug,” argued Peter Majeranowski, the CEO of Circ, a materials innovation company. “It’s a very tough thing to change because you’re working against psychology and you’re working against, frankly, very good marketers.” If the circular economy is going to change this pattern, then there are four areas for it to address: extraction, production, consumer use, and waste, with each area requiring different approaches and bringing up different questions. What would it mean to slow down extraction in place of reusing existing materials? What happens to the displaced labor? How are things (or energy) made? Who makes them? Can we design things to be efficient, long-lasting, and desirable? How can products be made so that they can be recycled? Where do you even start?.....read on https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/370626/consumerism-circular-economy-single-use-recycling-landfill-garbage

Speaking of Circular Economies there is a methodology that addresses this challenge.......What on Earth is the Doughnut?…..Humanity’s 21st century challenge is to meet the needs of all within the means of the planet. In other words, to ensure that no one falls short on life’s essentials (from food and housing to healthcare and political voice), while ensuring that collectively we do not overshoot our pressure on Earth’s life-supporting systems, on which we fundamentally depend – such as a stable climate, fertile soils, and a protective ozone layer. The Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries is a playfully serious approach to framing that challenge, and it acts as a compass for human progress this century. The Doughnut offers a vision of what it means for humanity to thrive in the 21st century - and Doughnut Economics explores the mindset and ways of thinking needed to get us there. First published in 2012 in an Oxfam report by Kate Raworth, the concept of the Doughnut rapidly gained traction internationally, from the Pope and the UN General Assembly to Extinction Rebellion.Kate's 2017 book, Doughnut Economics: seven ways to think like a 21st century economist, further explored the econo mic thinking needed to bring humanity into the Doughnut, drawing together insights from diverse economic perspectives in a way that everyone can understand. This 2018 TED talk gives a summary of the book's core messages, and you can read Chapter One here. The environmental ceiling consists of nine planetary boundaries, as set out by Rockstrom et al, beyond which lie unacceptable environmental degradation and potential tipping points in Earth systems. The twelve dimensions of the social foundation are derived from internationally agreed minimum social standards, as identified by the world’s governments in the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Between social and planetary boundaries lies an environmentally safe and socially just space in which humanity can thrive.If you want to look deeper into the Doughnut, and Doughnut Economics, join us at Doughnut Economics Action Lab where we dive into much more detail on what it means for transforming our economies.......See you in the Action Lab! https://www.kateraworth.com/doughnut/ https://doughnuteconomics.org/about-doughnut-economics

Haggardearth is introducing the Donut (Doughnut),a new category on the Home Page under CLIMATE & ECOLOGY and will be combined with the Recycling sub- category.

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Waste not, not want not. The scandal of food waste – and how we can stop it Guardian Julian Baggini 8 Oct 2024 Attitudes towards waste are very different in industrialised nations. The United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) estimates that 17% of total global food production is wasted and around the same amount lost, meaning that around a third of food produced is not consumed. The global average for household waste is 74kg per person annually, and this figure is broadly similar for lower-, middle- and high-income countries. In addition to food waste, there is also food loss: crop and livestock commodities destined for human consumption which are discarded before entering the retail sector. This could be because of failure to harvest, poor storage, deterioration in transport, or simply being left to rot because there is no buyer. Over recent decades, food waste and loss has become more of a salient moral issue across the world. One of the UN’s sustainable development goals is to “halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels”, along with the less specific aim of “reducing food losses along production and supply chains”. Many believe reducing waste is essential for feeding the world. For example, the World Resources Institute opens its report into food waste and loss by asking “How is the world going to feed nearly 10 billion people?”, and argues that halving food waste “would close the gap between food needed in 2050 and food available in 2010 by more than 20%”. However, this framing is questionable. Back in 1961, the world produced fewer than 2,200 calories per person a day, barely enough to cover the needs of its men and women, who on average need about 2,500 and 2,000 calories a day, respectively. By 2020, the world was producing much more food than its inhabitants eat: nearly 3,000 calories per person a day. Even with the quantities that we waste, there is enough food in the world to feed everyone. Distribution and affordability are greater obstacles to good nutrition. But although hunger is not the problem now, it soon could be.

With the global population still rising, and climate breakdown and geopolitical instability already disrupting agriculture worldwide, in order to avert starvation, it could soon become imperative that we make as much use of what we produce as possible. At the moment, the greatest impact of food waste is on the climate crisis. Unep estimates that 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed. As it says: “If food loss and waste were a country, it would be the third biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions.” In poorer countries it increases food insecurity and everywhere it adds to biodiversity loss, because a lot of land is turned over to cultivation without it ultimately feeding anyone. Every informed observer agrees that food waste and loss must be reduced. But can we do it? At the moment, the greatest impact of food waste is on the climate crisis. Unep estimates that 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed. As it says: “If food loss and waste were a country, it would be the third biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions.” In poorer countries it increases food insecurity and everywhere it adds to biodiversity loss, because a lot of land is turned over to cultivation without it ultimately feeding anyone. Every informed observer agrees that food waste and loss must be reduced. But can we do it?

Once food reaches homes, waste is often the result of problems of inadequate management practices, skills and knowledge. Many households find themselves disposing of the contents of a bag or box found in the back of a cupboard after the best-before date has expired. Dates on packs are very conservative, and if dried products like rice or pasta are stored properly – dry and in airtight containers – it can last long after the pack date. But if you are not confident in knowing the signs of mould (discoloration, visible growth, a rancid or otherwise bad smell), it can feel risky to cook it.......read on- there's much more https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/08/the-scandal-of-food-waste-and-how-we-can-stop-it

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How Waste Clinics Can Advance. Waste Management in Indian Cities. Lessons from municipalities in Uttar Pradesh. RMI Shweta Gautam, Videesha Velijala, Jyoti Bodas, and Tom Frankiewicz March 13, 2025 In India, waste generation levels are projected to rise from 62 million metric tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated annually to 436 million metric tons by 2050. With its Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and its goal of “Garbage Free Cities,” within the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, India has made sustainable waste management a national priority. However, MSW is often managed at the city level, and while many challenges of MSW management are handled by municipalities individually, working together presents opportunities to identify scalable solutions that can help cities meet national goals. Proper waste management is a key preventative measure for a range of issues: improperly collected, waste can spread disease and attract pests, it can also pollute the air, water, and soil. Even when taken to a landfill, waste can cause problems: when organic waste, like food waste, yard waste, paper, and cardboard decomposes in landfills, it releases a mixture of roughly half methane and half carbon dioxide, with trace amount of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, ammonia and other VOCs called “landfill gas. During the clinic, experts presented a variety of topics:

Sourabh Manuja, Waste Management Specialist, presented on waste characterization and source segregation to improve waste management.
Varun Boralkar from Zigma-Blue Planet Group presented on biomining for dumpsite remediation.
Syad Javed Ali Warsi, Independent Consultant, presented a case study on financing waste management in Indore.

These presentations were followed by two discussions. The first focused on solid waste management (SWM) challenges faced by cities within four priority areas, and the second focused on defining solutions for these challenges and organizing those solutions into a work plan.The priority areas, developed based on consultations with experts ahead of the clinic, were:

Data collection: Gathering data for planning and monitoring
Source segregation and collection of organic waste: Using separate bins and vehicles to collect organic waste at the source for resource recovery
Organic waste treatment: Processing organic waste to recover resources
Disposal: Landfilling non-useful waste while minimizing environmental and health impacts

To facilitate peer-to-peer learning, experts led discussions for each priority area at separate tables. City representatives identified the challenges they faced in each priority area as they rotated tables and discussed strategies to mitigate these challenges......read on https://rmi.org/how-waste-clinics-can-advance-waste-management-in-indian-cities/

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Global Recycling Foundation announces ten #RecyclingHeroes.Today marks the third annual Global Recycling Day, with individuals, businesses, cities and communities coming together on social media, in their homes, and in their communities to celebrate the power of the Seventh Resource. The arrival of Global Recycling Day 2025 also means that the time has finally come for us to announce the winners of our #RecyclingHeroes competition. Each of our ten winners has won a $1,000 prize, to thank them for their commitment and innovation in local recycling. Since February we have been accepting nominations for our #RecyclingHeroes competition, encouraging people from all over the world to put forward individuals, businesses and communities that are leading the way with their recycling initiatives. We have now selected ten #RecyclingHeroes, chosen from thousands of nominations from all around the world and all walks of life, from Asia to Africa. Each of these ten winners will receive a $1,000 prize to contribute to their recycling initiative, and we will promote their good work to audiences across the world.

Plogging Club – Nigeria .......A movement inspiring young people across Nigerian campuses to take action for the climate through exercise that combines jogging with picking up litter and recyclables.

Reform Africa – Uganda.......Tackles waste disposal by transforming plastic waste into sustainable, waterproof and durable bags, employing youth to collect the plastic waste, and single mothers who wash and tailor the products.

U-Recycle – Nigeria A youth-led non-profit organisation working to promote a circular economy in Nigeria through reinforcing a sustainable recycling culture, investing time and resources into educating schools and communities about the value of recycling.

Zizo Ezi Foundation – South Africa A non-profit organisation that operates in South Africa in the Eastern Cape and works with school children in rural areas teaching them on the benefits, as well as the do’s and don’ts regarding a clean eco future in South Africa.

Anuya Trivedi, Founder of Greenbuddies – India....read on https://www.globalrecyclingday.com/global-recycling-foundation-announces-ten-recyclingheroes/

AND.....Cities across the world are preparing for Global Recycling Day 2020 Global Recycling Day is fast approaching on Wednesday 18th March 2025 and across the world, there are already individuals and organisations planning a host of activities and celebrations on the day. These events will all help in raising awareness of the importance of recycling and the ways in which we can all turn ‘waste’ into a valuable resource. From educational talks in schools to beach clean-ups and performances for local communities, there are a wide range of events taking place. If you’re looking to get involved in Global Recycling Day, below is a list of just some of the worldwide events set to take place on 18th March (or after). If you are running your own event, please let us know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and don’t forget to share on social media using #GlobalRecyclingDay and #RecyclingHeroes.

Abuja, Nigeria – Pick That Trash......Pick That Trash, an operational NGO focused on the environment, will be promoting recycling in schools. On 18th March 2025 Pick That Trash will visit the Government Secondary School, Maitama, FCT. Nigeria. Additionally, on 21st March 2025 Pick That Trash will visit Mosquito Village, Dakibiu, Jabi Upstair. FCT. Nigeria. The organisation is also planning clean-up activities to mark Global Recycling Day. Find out more at @pickthattrash.

Bahrain – eBin Company.......On 18th and 19th March 2025, eBin Company in Bahrain is celebrating Global Recycling Day by promoting recycling, sustainable cleaning products and disinfectants, zero waste products, compost solutions and sustainable drinking water solutions. Find out more at: www.instagram.com/ebincompany/

Bath and North East Somerset, UK........Bath and North East Somerset Council is inviting local residents to a series of events on 18th March where people can find out tips and tricks to help save the environment. These talks will take place across libraries in Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton and the Bath Cloth Nappy Library will be on hand to help parents and carers with making the switch from disposables. Find out more at: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk

Belfast, Northern Ireland – Cap Arts Centre......read on and explore more links https://www.globalrecyclingday.com/cities-across-the-world-are-preparing-for-global-recycling-day-2025/

To Tackle E-waste, Teach Kids to be Responsible Consumers

A Circular Economy — an Economy where Waste is Designed Out.....and Pehaps Donuts will work

Waste not, not Want not. The Scandal of Food Waste – and how we can Stop it

How Waste Clinics Can Advance. Waste Management in Indian Cities.

Global Recycling Foundation Announces ten #RecyclingHeroes......AND......Cities across the World are Preparing for Global Recycling Day 2020 Global Recycling Day

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