The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were created by the UN in 2015 to address the social, economic and environmental problems that have resulted from globalisation. These SDGs are part of the Agenda 2030 agreement, which was signed by all states and governments belonging to the United Nations.
In total, there are 17 goals that must be met by 2030 at the latest, and one of them is directly related to the importance of recycling. In this article, we will take a closer look at the recycling SDG.
The recycling SDG
Goal 12, also called the recycling SDG, is the one that focuses on responsible production and consumption. In the following, we will explain in detail what this SDG consists of and why we must comply with it as companies in the recycling sector.
Globalisation and the advancement of society over the last century have had an environmental impact on the planet, endangering our lives and the lives of all living beings.
Some of the most alarming facts to date are as follows:
- One third of the food that is produced (about 1.3 billion tonnes) ends up spoiling and going to waste.
- If the world’s population were to reach 9.6 billion people in 2050, the natural resources of 3 planets Earth would be needed.
- Of the world’s 250 largest companies, 93% report on sustainability. The rest are starting to engage in Environmental Responsibility issues, but without actually implementing sustainable models.
- Land and soil are degrading faster and faster, decreasing soil fertility and making water use unsustainable. In addition, the ability to acquire natural resources to sustain humanity’s food supply is limited.
- Recycling is fundamental to meeting SDG 12.
SDG 12 target
With these figures from the latest reports, the future looks bleak. Therefore, the goal of this Sustainable Development Goal is to create a system of decent consumption and economic growth in accordance with our needs, so that resources can be reused and not wasted. A sustainable consumption and production system.
By 2030, the UN has therefore set itself the goal of implementing processes to prevent food waste, the environmentally friendly use of chemicals and the reduction of waste generation. It also includes taking care of solid waste and reducing polluting emissions.
In the same way, the private sector is directly involved by the United Nations in the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda and many of them have a corporate management in which these goals are present.
What can companies do to contribute to SDG 12?
Companies are a fundamental part of these goals. There are certain companies whose core business is more closely linked to this SDG, such as the industrial or agri-food sector. However, they can all take steps to contribute.
- Companies can begin to integrate circular economy principles into their organisation, with policies of prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery or valuation of waste, the so-called 5Rs of the circular economy.
- Boosting energy efficiency throughout the value chain, including extraction, manufacturing, packaging and logistics, promoting the use of renewable energies.
- Achieving environmentally sound management of chemicals and hazardous waste, trying to minimise their spread and subsequent contamination of soil, water and air.
- Collaboration between companies is also fundamental. By managing waste correctly, great progress can be made, and the correct treatment of waste facilitates its recycling.
We have a long process ahead of us that will irreparably mark the course of history, so in our hands lies the opportunity to make our planet a more sustainable place, with ecological values and in which society becomes aware of its actions and acts accordingly. Fulfilling SDG 12 is the first step towards a sustainable future, and with ScrapAd it is possible.
By managing everything in a single online space, we avoid waste management companies having to travel to meet their suppliers, as we verify both the companies and the material for them.