Recycling ‘heroes’ on Global Recycling Day

The Global Recycling Foundation (GRF) has announced its Recycling Heroes and other awards to mark the seventh Global Recycling Day on 18 March.

Ten winners of US$ 1 000 and five special awards of US$ 250 recognising Young Green Ambassadors reflect those who promote the value of recycling.

Ranjit Baxi, GRF’s founding president says the list is cause for celebration. ‘Not only does it demonstrate the enthusiasm and ingenuity of our winners, but the special category of Young Green Ambassadors … demonstrates that our young people today, who are the leaders of tomorrow, are showcasing the way forward and recognising the importance of recycling to protect our fragile planet.’

Recycling Heroes:

Abiona Toluwalase of Lagos, Nigeria is a dedicated environmentalist and founder of the Zero Plastic Straw Community, an initiative aimed at combating plastic pollution and promoting sustainable living practices.

Dipesh Pabari leads The Flipflopi Project, Lamu Archipelago, Kenya, which has pioneered an innovative model for sustainable plastic waste management for small island and peri-urban communities.

David Katz, founder and ceo of Plastic Bank, Vancouver, Canada has established more than 550 collection communities with more than 40 000 members to collect and exchange plastic as a currency.

Mike Mackay, md, Despray Environmental, Netherlands is an international expert in aerosol recycling technology.

Soap Aid – Melbourne, Australia was founded in 2011 in and has a unique dual mission to save children’s lives while diverting hard soap waste from landfill.

Rahmanullah Shirzad, Afghanistan, is an advocate for the integration of climate change considerations into national and local policies.

Hellena Sailas, ceo of Arena Recycling Tanzania, has established plastic waste collection centres, beach clean-ups, and the construction of sanitation facilities in primary schools using eco-bricks.

Green Women Compost Production Company, Tamil Nadu, has grown from a handful of women in a self-help recycling group into a private company.

Jessica Alexanderson, Seattle USA, president of Scrap University Kids a youth movement educating schools about metal recycling.

Nicola Jones, Wales, UK has worked in the steel industry in UK for 25 years and developed an education programme for Tata Steel that delivers workshops to schools, colleges and universities.

Young Green Ambassadors:

• Henry Green Primary School, Dagenham, London, UK for sustainability work in school led by pupils.

• Otilo Foundation, Nigeria has significantly reduced carbon emissions by recycling approximately 65 tonnes of cartons and plastic waste in a year.
• Lianae Petzer, Kabega Primary School, Gqeberha, South Africa has been an active recycling ambassador since she was in Grade 1 in 2018.
• Sainath Manikandan and Sai Sahana Manikandan, Abu Dhabi, UAE are a brother and sister in school who collect paper, e-waste, plastics and cans for recycling.
• Ege Topkoc, Dubai, UAE, an 18-year-old who has developed a free game on the App Store called Recycling Toss that teaches children about recycling.