TwoSides North America reminds us that taking place on March 18, Global Recycling Day 2026 underscores the growing importance of recycling as both a climate solution and an economic driver. Established in 2018 by the Global Recycling Foundation, the initiative promotes recyclable materials as the “Seventh Resource,” recognizing their value alongside traditional natural resources. Today, the event has evolved into a global movement engaging governments, businesses, and communities in advancing sustainable practices.

This year’s theme, “Don’t Think Waste – Think Opportunity,” reflects a shift in how industries view recycling. According to Accenture, circular economy models could generate up to $4.5 trillion in global economic growth by 2030. Yet a significant gap persists: while billions of tons of waste are generated annually, a large portion is recyclable yet underutilized. Bridging this gap represents one of the most immediate opportunities to reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency.

Within this landscape, paper and paperboard stand out as a leading success story. In North America, paper packaging achieves recycling rates as high as 74%, with much of the recovered material reused in everyday products like containerboard. For the print and packaging industries, this reinforces a powerful narrative: circularity is not theoretical, it is already operational. As sustainability expectations rise, recycling will continue to define both environmental responsibility and competitive advantage across the value chain.