June 5, 2025 is World Environment Day , an annual event promoted by the United Nations to raise awareness on environmental issues. This year, the event is hosted by South Korea and has as its central theme "Beat Plastic Pollution" (#BeatPlasticPollution) . 📊 Some thought-provoking data Every year, around 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide , and over a third of it is used for packaging alone. In Italy they arrive on the market of 2.3 million tons of plastic packaging , and recycling will cover approximately 51% in 2025, according to authoritative estimates The trend, if confirmed, is growing compared to previous years, and hits the target set by the EU for 2025 (which is 50%). So everything is okay? Not really... There is still much to be done to reach the EU target of 55% set for 2030. The glass (81%) and aluminium (70%) recycling chains do much better . However, there remains a significant portion that is still not collected correctly or that is not recyclable in the plants and becomes waste to be disposed of in landfills, often abroad. Or it becomes fuel (much requested by cement factories in recent years) Finally, recycling is, in any case, an " energy-intensive " process: the material must be collected, physically or chemically treated before it becomes usable plastic again. It is a process with a significant carbon footprint. The Alternatives? 🌱 Concrete Actions for a Sustainable Future The fight against plastic pollution can change gear if we work on our habits, changing the way we use things and use resources Reduce the use of single-use plastic : avoid products such as disposable cutlery, plates and plastic bottles. Adopt reusable alternatives : choose bottles, flasks, bags and any other container that can be reused several times Opt for products based on the refill model, which allow the main container to be used multiple times or which provide container recovery circuits Look for alternatives to plastic products that are based on fibres of natural origin and easily biodegradable 🛍️ Disposable plastic-free products for everyday life To help you transition to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, here are some products we recommend: Thermal bottle : a reusable water bottle that keeps drinks hot or cold, reducing the use of plastic bottles Biodegradable bamboo toothbrush : eco-friendly alternative to plastic toothbrushes. Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps : Plastic-Free Food Storage. Compostable Garbage Bags 30L: Biodegradable waste bags, ideal for waste sorting. Reusable Fabric Shopping Bag World Environment Day 2025 reminds us of the urgency of taking action against plastic pollution. In this context, R5 is committed to reducing the use of plastic through sustainable solutions, alternative materials and reuse models. Our goal is clear: to contribute to a cleaner and more responsible future, starting with concrete choices every day.
