In praise of stainless steel

In this fragile world where we need to embark on global recycling in order to preserve the future of the planet, one material has perhaps been overlooked even though it is all around us in our homes, offices and cities. It has been taken for granted for too long.

Stainless steel has enormous strength and durability, and it is widely used in our daily lives. Maybe it is because it is a material made up of a whole family of steels with varying chromium contents that makes it the toughest and best option.

From the smallest razor blades to telling the time, and from preparing food to creating architecture for our cities’ sky lines, this is a material which lasts. Where other materials come and go and reach a point of no return, this king of materials stands the test of time.

Around 90% of stainless steel products are recycled at the end of their useful lives. This is a staggering statistic, especially when you consider that there is no such thing as a 100% recycled or 100% new stainless steel. Using end of life stainless steel is a normal part of the process.

And the best – and most important bit – is this: even when stainless steel has been used for decades, it can be recycled again and again and again. It has far less of an impact on the environment. Put these massive advantages against the too-widely-used plastics industry, and it is hard to fathom why we do not push for the stainless steel option more often.

If you would like to join voices around the world in championing Global Recycling Day and campaigning for a better future for our planet, then please sign our petition here.

Save the planet, recycle your unwanted clothes

The rise of super affordable clothes in many high street shops means that the winter party season can mean a whole new wardrobe – but what about all the other garments that are already filling them? Do you ever purge your closets, and do you even stop to wonder what happens to your clothes when they leave the comfort of your bedroom?

The textile industry (which comprises not just clothes but also household and office furnishings and even vehicle upholstery) is a $1 trillion worldwide business. Think of all the litres of water that go into making one t-shirt (2,700 litres to be precise, according to worldwildlife.org); think of all the landfill space that clothes take up when thrown away; and think of all the pressure this puts on the Earth’s virgin resources.

 

Buying a new Christmas outfit should be more of a luxury than it is when you really think about how it came into being and where it will go after you have tired of it.

A staggering 60% of textiles could be reused and the unwearable 35% could go into wipers and fiber recycling. This means that only 5% needs to be discarded.

So, if you have a wardrobe clear out this season, where can you take all your old clothes? You could sell them or give them to a charity shop, or you could just take them to a textile recycling bank in a recycling center. From there, they will find new life in the second hand clothing industry and, if they are unwearable, they could end up as blankets, mattresses or even fuel.

So, why not pledge to make a change this Christmas and recycle the textiles which are no longer in your favour? Why let them just hang on in there when they could be making a difference to the bigger picture in life?

To be a part of Global Recycling Day, why not sign our petition here and join voices from across the planet in securing a better future for the world.