This article is available also in spanish here

Recycling and economics: a formula that only works if you believe in it

My list

Author | Tania AlonsoBad waste management contributes to the contamination of oceans and forests, the transmission of diseases and the accelerated emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. According to the World Bank indicators, economic and population growth will cause waste generation to increase by 70% over the next 30 years. This will be felt, particularly, in cities.The 4R (reduce, reuse, recycle and recover) are becoming increasingly important on the political agendas of cities around the world. However, it is not enough. We have analysed what we are doing correctly and what we are doing incorrectly when recycling waste.

A new life

Effective management does not just involve separating waste for subsequent elimination. The ultimate aim is, with some exceptions, to give a new use to materials. Normally waste is separated in different containers. From here, it goes to selection plants that send the waste off to recycling companies in charge of transforming the waste into new products.garbage and waste being recycledHowever, different cities have a different approach to their recycling systems. In 2017, the Waste in Progress cycle brought together representatives of different international cities in Girona to share their experiences and solutions. The success of some of these, such as San Francisco, is based on the population’s culture of environmental awareness. Since it began its recycling process in 1989, it has reduced the amount of waste diverted to recycling plants by 80%.In other cities, such as Seoul, the achievements are the result of stricter measures. The South Korean capital has a recycling rate of more than 60% and its inhabitants pay taxes based on the organic waste they generate. Munich, Adelaide, Milan and Cardiff are some of the other cities that took part in the event.

Circular economy, Zero Waste initiatives and other solutions

In Jordan, the coastal city of Aqaba, the circular economy approach is being applied to convert waste into opportunities. The city generates around 150 tonnes of solid waste per day, therefore a project (endorsed by the UN and the EU) undertook to reduce these figures. The first line of action was to boost recycling and optimise resources in hotels. The activity generated from the recycling system has also created jobs for members of vulnerable communities.There are also some noteworthy initiatives in Nordic countries. In 2017, the Swedish government reformed the tax system to reduce the price of repairing used items. The country also has a system in place that enables money to be recovered by returning empty cans and bottles. This allows 1,800 million units to be recycled each year.empty soda can trashIn Norway, the city of Bergen stands out for its vacuum waste collection system. The system manages and recycles rubbish through a system consisting of underground pipes, connected devices, Big Data and artificial intelligence.

The other reality

However, the figures from other cities around the world are very different. According to a World Bank report ‘What a Waste 2.0’, in low-income countries, only 4% of waste is recycled. Of the 2010 million tonnes of municipal solid waste produced annually, 33% is not managed in an environmentally friendly way. The report identifies 50 waste disposal sites which, given their poor waste management systems, pose a threat for human health and for the environment.Except for Serbia, the rest are located in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In order to combat this situation, the World Bank suggests supporting these countries with their planning and financing of their waste management systems.Images | Dieter Kühl, Unsplash/Alfonso Navarro, Pexels/Skitterphoto

Related content

Recommended profiles for you

Remember to activate your profile to network!
Activate profile
AF
Amir Farmanesh
CEO
AA
André Amaral
Anis
Owner and business development
JM
Javier Mirallas
Cambra de Comerç Brasil Catalunya
.
joan dove
joan dove
St. James municipal corporation
Local Economic Development Officer
MS
Mathew S
Koche Ventures
CEO
NF
Nomar Fernandez
Banco sabadell
Arquitecto aplicaciones de negocio
Ramon Fonollet
Ramon Fonollet
Ex de Banco Sabadell
Actualmente estoy jubilado “retired” ...,!!
MA
Muhammad Afif Abdillah
STIE Perbanas Surabaya
At the moment, i still studying at STIE Perbanas as a college. I am currently in the 3rd semester.
Kat  O'Brien
Kat O'Brien
Mastercard
Alvaro Undurraga
Alvaro Undurraga
Corfo
He is currently the Metropolitan Director of Corfo and President of SeSantiago.
LC
Lupita Castro
Consultora Castro
Ceo
João Miguel  Cotrim
João Miguel Cotrim
ISCTE-IUL
Researcher & PhD candidate
Grasberg Nahumarury Asberg
Grasberg Nahumarury Asberg
Institut Teknologi Tanggerang Selatan
Im a Student
KS
Krish Shah
None
None
DA
Didier Annette
CINOR
Special advisor to the President
eduardo.leite leite
eduardo.leite leite
Agência de desenvolvimento leste paulista Sul de minas
Business Development
Ritam Roy
Ritam Roy
CityKey Fin
I am the founder & CEO of the company.
Maher Shirah
Maher Shirah
Riyadh City mayor office
Advisor of H.E. the mayor of Riyadh City
Mélissa Authier
Mélissa Authier
Bureau du Québec à Barcelone
Economic affairs
DM
Donovan Morrell
University of Central Florida
I am a Civil Engineering Undergraduate at the University of Central Florida

SmartCity
Thank you for registering to Tomorrow.City. You can now start exploring all the content for free!
Only accessible for registered users
This content is available only for registered users
TO: $$toName$$
SUBJECT: Message from $$fromName$$