Tomra reports that the top countries when it comes to recycling include Austria (with a recycling rate of 59%), Wales (also 59%), Taiwan (53%), Germany (52%), and the Netherlands (51%).

Next up are Denmark (also 51%), Slovenia (50%), Northern Ireland (45%), and South Korea (also 45%).

In the meantime, the Environmental Performance Index notes that South Korea has a recycling score of 67.1, meaning that it recycles over two-thirds of all recyclable post-consumer materials, such as metal, plastic, paper, and glass.

In second place is Samoa with a score of 57.6, followed by Benin (56.9), Iceland (55.5), Vanuatu (52.9), Singapore (51.7), the Philippines (49.9), Germany (49.8), and Vietnam (46).

According to The Sustainable Agency, based on the data from OECD, a whopping 91% of the world’s plastic waste is not recycled. In 2019, just 9% of plastic waste was recycled.

That year, 19% was incinerated, 50% went to sanitary landfills, and 22% was mismanaged. In the latter case, it was disposed of in uncontrolled dumpsites, burned in open pits, or leaked to the environment. As per the OECD, global plastic consumption has quadrupled over the past three decades.

The Sustainable Agency notes that if nothing changes drastically and current trends continue, as per a report by the Nordic Council of Ministers and Systemiq, the amount of mismanaged plastic waste is set to double by 2040.

Meanwhile, the predicted global plastic recycling rate is likely to stay very similar. However, things might not be so grim. In a scenario where global policies shift, around 43% of the world’s plastic waste could be recycled in 2040.

Heal the Planet explains that one of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of waste you produce is to reduce your consumption.

Upcycling is the process through which you can use waste or unwanted items and turn them into actually useful products or art. As various items’ lifespans increase, you end up buying fewer new things.

Some of the benefits of upcycling include the fact that you’re reducing the strain on resources such as fuel, forests, and resources.

Not only that, but by upcycling, you’re also helping safeguard wildlife habitats, reduce air and water pollution, and end up producing less hazardous waste than companies and factories. Plus, you save money!

Heal the Planet suggests that if you want to get started with repurposing certain items, you should spend some time doing online research and for some inspiration. In the meantime, everyone’s encouraged to care for their items and maintain them so that they serve their purpose for far longer.

Some other ways to reduce your impact on the planet include shopping at secondhand or used goods stores, going to garage sales, etc. You can also barter with your family and friends for things you need with what you have. Maybe someone’s throwing out a piece of furniture that you could use.

Or they have some clothes that no longer fit them that you’d be happy to take in. It all depends on our open-mindedness and perspective: not everything that gets thrown out is ‘trash.’

What’s your relationship with the environment and sustainability like, dear Pandas? What do you do to reduce your impact on the planet and produce less waste? What are your recycling, reusing, repair, and upcycling skills like? We’d love to hear from you! Do you have a moment? Tell us what you think in the comments. And remember—everything you do really does matter.