National Recycling Week
Date Published: 27th Oct 2025
10 - 16 November
National Recycling Week is a reminder that small actions can make a big difference when it comes to reducing waste and protecting our planet.
Established by Planet Ark, the week shines a spotlight on how we can all recycle better, reduce waste, and keep valuable materials in use for longer.
Why it matters: Recycling offers a range of important benefits. Environmentally, it reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill, cuts down harmful emissions, conserves natural resources, and saves energy. Economically, it creates jobs and reduces the costs associated with waste disposal. Socially, it promotes sustainability, encourages environmental education, and helps engage communities in positive, long-term change.
The waste hierarchy is a guide for managing waste in the most environmentally responsible way. It ranks waste management options from most to least preferred, helping individuals and organisations reduce their impact on the planet. Here’s how it works:
1. Reduce: Use less and choose products that have minimal environmental impact.
2. Reuse: Extend the life of items by repairing, repurposing, or sharing them instead of throwing them away.
3. Recycle: When something can’t be reused, recycle it so the materials can be turned into something new.
4. Recover: Convert waste materials into energy through methods like composting or energy recovery processes.
5. Dispose: As a last resort, send waste to landfill — but only when none of the above options are possible.
Together, we can make sustainable choices part of everyday life. Check out our A–Z Waste Guide to see how you can recycle smarter and support our building’s ongoing sustainability initiatives.