March 17th, 2025, 4:30pm MDT
The Church of Jesus Christ, a Latter-day Saint, has current efforts aimed at reducing waste to protect waste, conserving resources, reducing waste, reusing materials and implementing sustainable practices.
According to a March 17 report on Churchofjesuschrist.org, it includes large-scale recycling, e-waste diversion and innovative reuse initiatives.
“An essential part of our disciples”
The Church is actively involved in its commitment to being a wise steward of the environment and being a wise custodian of the Earth.
“Beyond simply being a scientific or political necessity, care for the earth and our natural environment is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us by God, and it should satisfy us with deep duties and humility.” “It is also an integral part of our disciples.”
“Our care for the planet can really attract us to our Savior, become a source of hope, and become a source of empowerment and faith in our lives,” said Jenica Sedgwick, the church’s sustainability manager, in a podcast interview with Church News.
Printing Center works to minimize environmental footprint
The church implements comprehensive recycling practices at its printing centre in Salt Lake City, producing a wide range of products for global congregations and missionary activities. From copies of the Book of Mormon from church publications to sacramental cups, “all scraps produced during the cutting, trimming and slice process are collected via a series of vacuums and ducts and sent to the Baller Room for recycle,” the news release reported.
The facility recycles approximately 220 tons of paper, 40 tons of plastic and 2-3 tons of aluminum each month.
The church has moved to the production of 100% recycled plastic sacramental cups, making eco-friendly improvements. Previously, wax-coated cups were made from 30-70% recycled paper.
“100% of recycled plastics have been known to have a low environmental impact on carbon emissions, energy and water use, and solid waste, and has since become a new global standard,” the release states.
The production process produces dust. The church collects this dust and keeps it in a ba and reuses it.
Electronics: Reuse and Responsible Recycling
All old or broken electronics from over 6,500 church facilities are routed to Salt Lake City rather than landfills.
“We strive to divert 100% of our old electronics from landfills in the US and Canada and their operations,” Sedgwick said.
Incoming electronic devices are invented, erased and evaluated for further use. Working laptops are being reused in Byu-Pathway and genealogy projects around the world in Africa.
Sedgwick also said hundreds of computers are donated to charities each year, with the rest being responsibly recycled through partner organizations.
Any electronic equipment beyond repair will be sent to TAMS, a professional recycling company. TAMS breaks down devices into components for responsible recycling, preventing toxic e-waste landfill waste.
Sustainability initiatives in South America
The Church emphasizes global sustainability initiatives. South American initiatives emphasize the value of environmentally friendly improvement efforts on all scales.
“Every effort, from the smallest to the biggest, is extremely important,” said Reuben Arias, director of temporary issues in the church’s Brazilian region.
In Brazil, we have established projects to recycle and reuse materials, reducing the ecological footprint, as well as bringing beauty and memories.
Machines in Brazil’s distribution centres save and reuse cardboard packaging around 2,000 pounds each month. Composting machines in the church’s Brazilian area offices produce materials that are reused for landscaping. And the new project is to strengthen the youth conference experience while reducing waste. Young people attending these events can take pictures of meeting-themed shirts made from recycled plastic bottles.
Distribution centres and church shops in Peru and Ecuador currently offer reusable shopping bags. This practice extends to other areas.
Sedgwick said the Peruvian church’s sustainability efforts include the use of sustainable PEFC-certified timber.
Stewardship: Sacred Duty
Elder Patrick Caeron, a quorum of 12 apostles at the 2023 Global Faith Leaders Summit, said, “The earth, the sacred creation, is entrusted to us and is intended to bless humanity.
Caussé states, “It is very moving to think that our creator is responsible for caring about what he has made for us, as we live on Earth.
The Church’s sustainability initiatives include water conservation based on ecological needs and resources. Reducing emissions caused by sustainable practices in transportation, development, construction, agriculture and ranching. Improved energy efficiency, including renewable energy.
Read more about your water conservation efforts here.
