Author | Jaime RamosThe way in which we manage waste has changed rapidly in recent decades. The best proof of this is the transformation of the concept of recycling from an activity with environmental and financial benefits, to an essential activity for sustainability.The revolution regarding the way we understand and manage waste has begun in large cities. Some of them simply cannot continue to pile up or bury ad eternum millions of tonnes of waste. Since, according to the World Bank, in 2016, the world generated over 2 billion tonnes of waste, and this figure is expected to reach 3.4 billion tonnes by 2050.
What can be done with so much rubbish?
The multinational organisation estimates that over 33% of that waste is not managed correctly. That is, the waste ends up uselessly stored or burned which has a negative impact on air quality.
Planning and commitment in Oslo
Oslo has integrated waste management and recycling into its global sustainability strategy. The city’s goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 and to be neutral by 2050.The first steps were taken in 1997, when waste was first separated in households. The system improved over 15 years until the current waste management system was achieved. A large part of Oslo’s success is, therefore, related to two very common factors, but which are not so difficult to achieve: global and effective planning as well as having managed to involve everyone in the use of recycling bags differentiated by colours.The era of automation
