Ahead of Global Recycling Day ( March 18), Ranjit Baxi, Founding President of Global Recycling Foundation, and Managing Director, J&H Sales International Limited, speaks to R. Keerthana on the vision behind the observing the Day and its influence among the civil society, industry and policy makers. Here is an excerpt from the interview

What was your vision behind founding Global Recycling Day? 

Ranjit Baxi: I have been in the recycling industry for over 40 years. During that time, I noticed that while we were doing important work as an industry, holding conventions, discussing best practices, and improving infrastructure, we were largely speaking to ourselves. 

The real drivers of recycling at the grassroots level are communities and civil society. If individuals segregate waste properly, separating dry and wet waste, metals, paper, then the entire recycling chain becomes more efficient. Industrial recycling is relatively mature, but without the active participation of citizens, the system struggles. 

I felt we were not telling our story well enough to the public. Recycling saves over a billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions and contributes significantly to the global circular economy, yet the average person doesn’t fully recognize this impact. 

So in 2017, during my tenure as President of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), I announced the launch of Global Recycling Day. The first celebration took place in 2018. The aim was to connect civil society, legislators, governments, and industry into one unified narrative—positioning recycling as a central pillar of the circular economy. 

Has the mission evolved over the years, now that civil society is more engaged? 

Ranjit Baxi: The core mission remains the same: connecting the world to recycling. However, our engagement has deepened. On March 18 each year, participation now spans from Europe and the Americas to Africa, the Caribbean, and even small island nations like the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. 

But we still have major milestones to achieve. I would like to see recycling formally recognized within global climate discussions and by the United Nations as an internationally acknowledged day. Infrastructure development, policy support, and education still require significant effort. 

In 2018, we also introduced the Global Recycling Heroes initiative. Initially, we recognized 10 heroes annually; now we identify 20 individuals from around the world. This has helped amplify grassroots leadership and inspire communities. 

We’ve made progress in communication and awareness, but there is still a long journey ahead before we can say the mission has fully matured. 

How has Global Recycling Day influenced industry collaboration or policy conversations? 

Ranjit Baxi: Awareness has undoubtedly grown. For example, in the UAE, recycling awareness has increased tremendously in the past decade. We receive entries for Recycling Heroes from schoolchildren, which is very encouraging. 

One inspiring example was Chelmsford College in the UK, where students implemented structured waste segregation systems and demonstrated responsibility as waste creators. That mindset shift, recognizing personal responsibility, is significant. 

Policy-wise, recycling has gained more visibility. However, I believe there is still insufficient legislative support that actively enables recyclers. More focus is needed on practical implementation and support mechanisms.  

Overall, I would say we have influenced people, education systems, and community-level awareness. I am proud to be part of a broader global movement driving this change. 

Do you believe the narrative around recycling has matured enough — or are we still struggling to position recyclables as strategic global resources? 

Ranjit Baxi: The narrative has evolved, but not enough. Over the decades, the environmental conversation shifted from ozone depletion to global warming, climate change, and now resource security. 

We coined the term “Seventh Resource” to emphasize that recyclables themselves are a valuable resource. Recycling generates raw materials—gold, copper, platinum, and other valuable metals—from e-waste, for example. 

If we remove recyclers from the equation, who will dismantle fridges, washing machines, and computers to recover those materials? Recycling is not just waste management—it is resource generation. 

Legislators speak about resources, but they don’t always connect the dots back to recycling as the mechanism that captures and regenerates those resources. That is where the narrative still needs strengthening.  

Some argue that recycling is overhyped and does not address overconsumption. How would you respond? 

Ranjit Baxi: There is indeed a lobby that believes recycling is overhyped. I disagree. The problem is not overhyping—it is under-communication. 

For example, billions of dollars’ worth of valuable metals is lost annually because e-waste is not properly recycled. Informal disposal systems and inadequate infrastructure prevent us from recovering those materials. 

If people understood that their discarded computer could contribute to recovering billions in valuable resources, they might act differently. The story simply hasn’t been communicated effectively. 

Global Recycling Day is one step toward telling that story. I am particularly encouraged when I see young people celebrating March 18 by cleaning parks or educating peers. If we can change the mindset of children today, they will carry this responsibility into 2050 and beyond. 

Recycling is not overhyped—it is under-understood. And our job is to tell its story better. 

Awareness programmes are making individuals feel responsible while letting corporations off the hook. Your thoughts? 

Ranjit Baxi: We are encouraging civil society—people like you and me—to segregate waste and act responsibly, which is important. But the corporate world must also take responsibility, starting from product design. 

If a manufacturer produces packaging made of multiple mixed plastics, it becomes very difficult to recycle. However, if a product is designed using a single grade of plastic, recyclability improves significantly. So responsibility must begin at the design stage. 

Corporations should aim for products that are 100% recyclable from start to finish. Beyond design, they must also help fund and support recycling systems. CSR is a powerful concept, but its connection to recycling remains weakly defined. 

Today, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reporting has become standard practice. Pre-2000, we didn’t even talk about ESG. Now environmental sustainability is part of corporate audits. But how directly is ESG linked to recycling? That linkage still needs strengthening. 

Recycling saves over a billion tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Shouldn’t structured carbon credits be directed toward the recycling industry? That revenue could help improve infrastructure and efficiency. 

For example, if the airline industry emits carbon, and the recycling industry saves carbon, should there not be a connection? Shouldn’t industries invest in recycling as part of their CSR or ESG commitments? 

Individuals are becoming more responsible, especially with initiatives like Global Recycling Day. But corporations must also take responsibility for the waste their products generate. Environmental responsibility within ESG must explicitly include recycling. 

Recycling is one of the essential “cogs” in the wheel. If that cog is missing, the wheel doesn’t turn.