#RecyclingHeroes Competition Winners Announced on Global Recycling Day

The winners of the #RecyclingHeroes competition were announced on Global Recycling Day 2020 (March 18). The 10 winners, who are working to shine a light on recycling and secure a better future for the planet, will each receive a $1,000 prize for their commitment and innovation in local recycling.

This year’s winners comprise innovators and inspiring businesses and individuals across the world who are leading the way in recycling.

The 2020 winners:

Plogging Club – Nigeria  

A movement inspiring young people across Nigerian campuses to take action for the climate through exercise that combines jogging with picking up litter and recyclables. 

Reform Africa – Uganda 

Tackles waste disposal by transforming plastic waste into sustainable, waterproof and durable bags. It also employs youth to collect the plastic waste and single mothers to wash and tailor the products. 

U-Recycle – Nigeria 

A youth-led nonprofit organization working to promote a circular economy in Nigeria through reinforcing a sustainable recycling culture and investing time and resources into educating schools and communities about the value of recycling. 

Zizo Ezi Foundation – South Africa 

A nonprofit organization that operates in the Eastern Cape and works with school children in rural areas to teach them the benefits as well as the dos and don’ts regarding a clean eco future in South Africa. 

Anuya Trivedi, Founder of Greenbuddies – India 

An organization that uses tires and other reusable scraps to create eco-designed, cost-effective “Recycled Play Stations” for children.

Aribe Bajwa, Founder of Youth Social Ambassadors – Pakistan 

A youth-based organization working toward community empowerment and specifically toward environmental causes, including planting 300,000-plus trees and providing training and awareness sessions on conservation of environment at different institutions. 

Made by TREID – Philippines  

Made by TREID extends the life consumption of old clothes and uniforms by transforming them into higher-value products such as multifunctional and fashionable shoes and bags, home accessories and new fabric, while also providing job opportunities to disadvantaged people. 

Ecolana – Mexico 

A social impact company focused on inclusive recycling practices in Mexico. On the one hand, it is a digital platform with a recycling guide (a map and a waste materials dictionary) that guides consumers on how and where to recycle, and on the other hand, it helps consumer brands develop recycling programs. 

Cappabue National School – Ireland 

This small school in Cork, Ireland, is raising awareness of climate change with its viral rap video “One Small Change,” a response to polluted beaches in Co Cork. 

Nick Oettinger, Managing Director and Founder of The Furniture Recycling Group – United Kingdom (UK)

The Furniture Recycling Group is helping tackle the UK’s mattress landfill problem, diverting 400,000 mattresses from landfills each year. The company has recycled more than 1.5 million mattresses since launching and is continually investing in research to make the recycling of mattresses more viable and much more efficient.  

In the coming days, 100 #RecyclingHeroes from across the globe will be recognized to celebrate the work of the unsung and local heroes in the global recycling industry.