KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Recycling Partners of Jamaica (RPJ) is encouraging individuals to embrace their role as recycling heroes in recognition of Global Recycling Day on Monday.

RPJ in a release said the 2024 theme, #RecyclingHeroes, recognises the important role of individuals in taking proactive steps towards sustainable living by participating in recycling programmes and adopting responsible waste management practices.

By engaging in these efforts, Jamaicans are not only contributing to the preservation of the island’s natural beauty and resources, but also embodying the spirit of environmental leadership and making a tangible difference in their communities, the release said.

“We’re taking the opportunity of Global Recycling Day, with the theme #RecyclingHeroes, to remind Jamaicans to be the heroes for our environment and to recycle their PET and HDPE plastic bottles,” Gairy Taylor, General Manager at Recycling Partners of Jamaica, said.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) (Type 1) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (Type 2) plastics are used in the manufacture of bottles and jars. PET is the most widely recycled plastic, mainly used to manufacture plastic bottles for liquid or beverage consumption.

PET is also used in the production of many disposable plastic containers for ready-made or frozen foods. HDPE is one of the strongest plastics, used in the production of containers for milk and other liquid products, detergents, shampoos, motor oil, drugs, and cosmetic products. Look for the triangle with a ‘1’ or ‘2’ in the centre on the base of each container to ensure that it is recyclable.

“We will never outlive the lifecycle of a plastic bottle. It is our responsibility to ensure that PET and HDPE bottles are not used wastefully. They should never become an eyesore or a health hazard. At RPJ we would like to see Jamaicans contributing to the beauty and health of our environment by recycling and putting our planet first,” Taylor added.

In December 2023, RPJ opened a new, larger depot in Naggo Head, St Catherine, which enabled a significant increase in the collection and recycling of plastics by nearly 50 per cent above the current figure of 12 million pounds per year.

“RPJ is proud to collect an average of 30 per cent of all plastic bottles sold into the market by the beverage industry. It also accepts other recyclable items, including plastic and glass bottles, paper, aluminum, and steel cans. Following collection, these materials are processed at RPJ’s facilities, where they are sorted, cleaned, compacted, and baled, before being transformed into materials suitable for manufacturing,” the release informed.

RPJ went on to invite Jamaicans to celebrate Global Recycling Day by becoming a #RecyclingHero and making a positive impact on the environment while earning extra income.

“Together, let’s create a cleaner, greener Jamaica for generations to come,” the release stated.