Global Recycling Foundation

Welcome to Global Recycling Foundation

The Global Recycling Foundation supports the promotion of recycling, and the recycling industry, across the world to showcase its vital role in preserving the future of the planet.

“We need to see waste for what it really is – a wasted resource. There is no place on our planet anymore for products that are used only briefly and thrown away. We need to ensure planned obsolescence is a thing of the past. It’s time for countries in the world to dramatically step-up recycling rates if we are to save this planet.”

- Erik Solheim, Head of UN Environment

Our Story

We were formed by the Bureau of International Recycling in October 2018 as a private Foundation.

Our mission is to fund educational and awareness programmes, innovation initiatives which focus on the sustainable and inclusive development of recycling, across the world.

“The role of the Foundation is to show the world that Recycling is a collective endeavour, crucial for the future of the planet. No-one can act in isolation and it is imperative we engage the widest population possible, from BIR members to world leaders, businesses to individuals – no matter where they are located. The establishment of the Global Recycling Foundation will underpin this mission, and ensure a global approach, supporting joint initiatives and achieving goals to foster better recycling practices into the future.”

- Ranjit S Baxi, Founding President, Global Recycling Foundation

- Our Initiatives-

Supporting the preservation of the planet through recycling

Global Recycling Day

Our biggest initiative, currently Global Recycling Day, falls on March 18 each year and aims to promote the vitality of recycling across the globe. It is a day for action, for the world to come together to put the planet first, and to change the mind-set of governments, businesses, communities and individuals around the world,…

Work with the UN

In 2018, Global Recycling Day was recognised by UNIDO, a key initial step in our journey to gain recognition as an official day in the UN calendar. A petition was launched as part of the Global Recycling Day 2018 celebrations, aimed at the UN and world leaders, which called for recycling to be a truly…

Further Initiatives

In the promotion of recycling as essential to the future of the planet, The Global Recycling Foundation will work to fund initiatives that focus on innovation, education, and awareness regarding recycling and its role as the Seventh Resource. The Foundation will work with donors and supporters to help entrench recycling into the daily lives of…

Latest News

BIR launches Global Recycling Foundation to champion worldwide initiatives

Posted on 5th October 2018

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) today launched the Global Recycling Foundation at its World Recycling Convention in London, where it also invited members to become the first cohort of Foundation “Friends” when they donate. Current BIR President Ranjit Baxi is the Foundation’s Founding President. The Foundation, formed by BIR but run as an independent…

Global Recycling Foundation Q&A

Posted on 2nd October 2018

What is the Global Recycling Foundation? The Global Recycling Foundation is a private foundation, formed by the Bureau of International Recycling. The Foundation aims to promote the vital role of recycling and the recycling industry in the preservation of the planet. When does it come into effect? 6th October 2018 How is Global…