March 18 marks Global Recycling Day 2026, an occasion to celebrate progress in the sector and reflect on the future ahead. The day carries special meaning for me, as it is only my third day on the job here at Resource Recycling, Inc. I started as Managing Editor on Monday.
Global Recycling Day was started in 2018 to recognize the importance of recycling in reducing impact on the planet. What began life as a small event has grown to an internationally recognized celebration, with activations across the government, nonprofit and business sectors.
For my part, I have long been a passionate recycler. Growing up as a kid in Michigan I used to collect cans I saw on the street to redeem for the state’s deposits, earning a little extra money on the side of my allowance. As an adult, I have long taken care to sort my recyclables at the curb or at collection sites on the go.
As an award-winning environmental journalist, I have covered recycling often over the past 25 years. This included developing a special cover issue on the subject as a young editor at E/The Environmental Magazine, and writing about recycling frequently, typically from a consumer perspective at The Daily Green. I wrote guides to recycling plastic resins and tips for maximizing success at the blue bin.
At National Geographic, where I served as a writer and editor for eight years, I covered a wide range of environmental topics, including recycling. A highlight was being in a key editorial role in a multi-year special project on plastic pollution and mitigation efforts, which included recycling. During this time I also penned an op-ed on recycling for The Washington Post, which sparked a lively discussion with the public on common pain points – such as how much you should rinse your bottles before placing them in the collection bin.
The next chapter
Now, I am thrilled to enter this next chapter at Resource Recycling, which is all about the recycling industry and circularity. And there’s perhaps no better week to start than the one that includes Global Recycling Day.
This year’s theme for the day is “Don’t Think Waste – Think Opportunity,” a nod to the important role of recycling as an economic engine. In fact, rethinking waste as a resource in a circular economy could generate an estimated $4.5 trillion in additional global economic growth by 2030, reports the consulting firm Accenture.
And although the recycling industry faces some challenging market conditions, support remains strong from the public and various solutions are in the works. I look forward to covering this exciting, and critical, industry in the days ahead. I hope you’ll follow along.
