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Sustainable around the world: Unique ways Japan, Sweden and Germany recycle their waste
The key to sustainable living could be as simple as countries learning how to recycle waste more efficiently. Public awareness about the 3 “Rs” – reduce, reuse and recycle – varies from country to country and there are many innovative approaches on how to deal with waste in a sustainable manner.
So, how is waste separation regulated in other countries? Let me take you on a journey around the world to explore different strategies used to improve recycling, enhance a sustainable lifestyle, and anchor sustainability at the heart of a society. Check out the following unique waste management systems and recycling hacks from around the world.
Japan's Waste Segregation – Strict and Effective
“Mottainai”, which translates into "Don't waste what is valuable", is a well-known Japanese saying that depicts Japan’s view on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Japan has a low waste production and recycles 84 percent of their collected plastic. How? Specific recycling tactics and waste segregation measures make Japan’s waste management this successful.
Thoroughness is key when Japan recycles. Every individual assumes full responsibility to separate their trash correctly in order to comply with the strict rules of Japan’s waste management. Every household is responsible for sorting, treating, and segregating their own waste while following disciplined waste disposal techniques. Numerous specific rules apply on how to dispose of your waste correctly: for example, glass and plastic containers have to be washed out, and all labels removed before disposing of them; waste-paper needs to be neatly folded to minimize space; and, it’s mandatory to label garbage bags with the data of the household, to ensure that the household complies with all waste disposal rules.
It sounds excessive but those disciplined waste disposal techniques have their perks: A prime example of the advantages of thorough waste segregation is the town Kamikatsu, a small village in the mountains of the Shikoku region. It was the first municipality in Japan to set itself a target of zero waste. The residents have worked together to fulfill the principles of the “3Rs” - reduce, reuse, and recycle - separating their trash into more than 45 different categories. Residents have gained a keen awareness of the need to reduce waste completely: Through collective efforts, more than 80% of their overall waste is recycled.
From Waste to Energy: Sweden’s Waste Management
Sweden is a pioneer when it comes to waste management: the country is on top of sustainable ranking lists as it recycles about 47 percent of the country’s household waste, with less than 1 percent of trash finding its way into environmentally problematic landfills.
One of Sweden’s most distinctive efforts is the “waste-to-energy” system. This system involves incinerating non-recyclable litter and transforming that energy into electricity. There are 34 “waste-to-energy” plants throughout the country, where trash is burned to heat homes, power buses and fuel taxi fleets.
This method does have its drawbacks: the plants are generating harmful emissions like carbon dioxide and CO2 – although allegedly heavily controlled and purified. However, while burning trash does sound contra intuitive regarding eco sustainability and environmentally friendly approaches, this does reduce trash being sent to landfills, and thus reducing methane generated from organic waste. With methane being about 72 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, Sweden considers burning trash the lesser evil.
Moreover, Sweden imports waste from oversees by burning it in their “waste-to-power” plants – making use of foreign waste to power the country.
Deposit-based Recycling: Germany’s Pfandsystem
Germany is improving year-on-year with recycling rates averaging around 56 percent, striving for sustainability to be key in their country’s development. Having a successful recycling system based on deposits in place, takes a great part in making recycling in Germany effective.
The so-called “Pfandsystem” is the predominant recycling system for plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cans. It has been in place for almost 20 years now and it’s a quite simple, yet very effective system: Disposable beverage containers come with a deposit – usually between eight and 25 cents. You pay this extra fee at the checkout as bottle deposit for your drinks and it will be refunded to you upon returning the empty containers. These empty bottles will be collected at specific reverse vending machines, so-called “Pfandautomaten”.
Paying a small deposit for bottles and containers seems to be a successful incentive in Germany – with a return rate of around 98 percent. After returning empty plastic bottles to a store, recycling companies break them down and turn them into high-purity PET snippets, using this for new products and packaging – and therefore, “closing the loop” for a circular economy.
Recently the German government decided to extend the mandatory deposit system for disposable plastic bottles from 2022 onwards: a deposit will be mandatory on all non-refillable plastic beverage bottles and cans. Previous exemptions for fruit juices or mixed alcoholic beverages in cans or single-use plastic bottles are abolished.
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