World's recycling system and Europe's new waste law

From year to year, Earth’s population number changes, it grows or it decreases accordingly, keeping a steady rhythm of life. But with such an up and down life- flow, the damage done to nature through pollution accentuates.

Pollution has become a real problem in the last few years, a problem which many feel it on themselves, as their health deteriorates more and more from unknown causes. And not only humans feel the after-effects; plants, animals and entire ecosystems share the same problem.

What is to be done?

Recycling is one of the best methods to deal with unnecessary waste. It not only offers a nature-friendly option, but it is quite efficient if and when done right as well. And one country who managed to achieve an almost entirely free-of-waste state is Sweden.

Setting up an example

Using an ingeniously designed system for their waste, Sweden not only managed to recycle it, but it even transformed it into energy, powering entire cities with green, eco-friendly fuel. By using especially dedicated stations, people are able to separate between recyclable waste and unrecyclable one, sorting it accordingly.

They can sort between newspaper, plastic, metal, glass, electric appliances, light bulbs, and batteries as well as food waste. The waste unable to be reused is sent to an incineration plant, one of the 32 already in use, burning it while transforming it into fuel.

The ‘recycling revolution’ Sweden went through in just a short amount of time, the waste being reduced to almost 99%, proves that it can be done, that it is still possible to save the planet we all call home and that people, or at least some of them, still care about the environment.

Other countries

Despite not being able to go side by side with Sweden’s productivity in waste destruction, other countries have begun their own campaigns in the fight against pollution.

• In Italy, especially in Rome, the implemented system is set in such a way that you can find, within 500 meters from your house’s front door, a recycle bin. It is best to use it accordingly and help nature; otherwise, you might be fined heavily.

• Switzerland also took measures: it introduced a charge for waste disposal, introduced a landfill ban and demanded that anything that cannot be recycled is to be burned.

• Canada is also one of the countries that decided to take up pollution damage-control. By introducing smart ways to reuse old tires – in playgrounds mixed with asphalt – they also decided to implement a system for collecting and reusing cigarette butts.

• Japan too created an innovative system when dealing with electric appliances and their disposal. In order for the people to dispose of their old electronics, a fee must be paid depending on what they wish to recycle.

People should be aware of the danger rubbish poses, should be aware of how everything can be negatively influenced by pollution and how, if concrete action is not taken soon, Earth might die! Some countries are aware of this problem, their governments encouraging recycling through different mediums such as funding and financial incentives, target goals and several policies, while others are still avoiding the problem.

Europe and its new Waste Law

Starting from June 2018, European leaders have decided to carry out a new recycling target, and actions to limit garbage amount. Published in the Official Journal of the European Union, starting from the 4th of July, 2018, all countries which are part of the EU have only two years to put into action the laws. As it states, by 2025 the municipal waste has to be recycled to 55%, by 2030 to 60% while by 2035 it has to be up to 65%.

In addition, by 31st December 2023 all bio-waste is to be collected separately or disposed at the source, while by 1st January 2025, textiles and hazardous waste from households will also be part of the waste that will be collected independently. Moreover, houses should also be equipped with garbage disposal units in order to facilitate a better waste removal.

With the prime concern for our environment, for economy, and health, the struggle to suppress pollution is bound to reach a new stage. Keeping and protecting natural habitats, looking after nature, proper waste disposal, informing ourselves about what toxins and chemicals can cause and what natural disasters they may create when used improperly, are just part of the actions humans have to take to prevent the total collapse of the planet.

EU Waste Law is part of a series of specific programmes including the 7th Environment Action Program, the Resource Efficiency Roadman and the Raw Materials Initiative.

Utilising a ‘waste ranking order’ approach type, there are several stages when dealing with trash, starting from the best one to the least preferred one. This ‘hierarchy’ includes waste prevention, its reuse, recycling, recovery, and complete removal.

Moreover, the 7th Environment Action Program establishes a series of goals such as:

• reducing the quantity of generated waste

• maximum reprocessing and re-use

• limitation of incineration to only non-recyclable materials

• a full implementation of waste-removal tactics in all EU partner states.

The climate changes, the global heating and the greenhouse effects that affect everything around are just the beginning of the end for our planet if nothing is done soon. Therefore, it is everyone’s duty to recycle and live as eco-friendly as possible in order to avoid a general catastrophe.