Solid waste management collects, treats, and disposes of solid waste that includes wastewater, solid, semi-solid, and gaseous waste from residential, industrial, agricultural, commercial, and other operations. Across the globe, waste generation has increased rapidly with no signs of slowing down. It is estimated that solid waste will increase by 2050 by about 3.4 billion metric tons.
Therefore, the need for individuals, establishments, and authorities to properly manage their solid waste has become more critical than ever. This is to reduce the negative impact on people, animals, and the environment. If you’re someone who’s having troubles with solid waste management, you can check out waste clearance service providers like https://anylondonwaste.co.uk/.
In the meantime, here’s a global review of solid waste management:
Top Countries In Terms Of Managing Waste
Model countries with the best habits in managing waste should be followed to promote proper and sustainable waste management. The countries have high global waste index status indicating that they have good waste management.
Here are some of the best countries in managing waste, including some of their policies and practices:
1. South Korea
South Korea is known as a zero-waste country. They divide their municipal waste into landfills, recyclables, composting, and incineration, which helps segregate and properly manage the total wastes. The food waste disposal is also charged depending on the weight of each municipality. The policy discourages more waste in the country. In 2022, the South Korean government has plans to decrease half the amount of disposable plastic used in the country and increase recycling by 70%.
2. Sweden
Sweden is known to use waste as an energy source to power up electricity in their cities. Instead of burning coal, they burn trash. The trash that can’t be converted into energy is mainly recycled. The country also has a policy banning organic and combustible waste in landfills, reducing the total waste volume. Some residents practice composting for their organic matter waste.
3. Japan
In Japan, the policy on waste segregation is strictly implemented. Therefore the citizens separate their trash before the garbage collector picks it up. Items recyclables like plastic, paper, bottles, aluminum or tin cans, and glasses are collected on separate days. The waste that will not be recycled is processed for incineration and is dumped in landfills. The great thing about Japan is its high recycling rate of about 20%, The recycling rate for plastic waste has increased by about 80% during the past few years.
4. Switzerland
Like Sweden, Switzerland also burns its trash to produce useful energy for heat and electricity generation. They also practice segregation by having bags to classify waste. The country also encourages recycling to its citizens.
5. Netherlands
In the previous decade, the Netherlands experienced a lack of dumpster and treatment facilities for waste that made them change its waste management policy. They have achieved a 35% reduction of waste from 1985 to 2016 and a recovery rate of 93%. The policies that help them succeed in waste management have a waste preference where only waste that can be reused and recycled is accepted in landfills for incineration.
6. Germany
Germany is one of the countries that have high recycling rates. The government encourages citizens and establishments to recycle where 67% of households recycle waste and 70% for establishments.
7. Finland
Finland is also known for its strict policy on waste segregation. Households and companies have sorting containers for paper, carton, glass, metal, plastic, mixed waste, and other specific wastes such as hazards. They also promote recycling for citizens and individuals.
8. Belgium
Belgium has a strict waste management policy for its citizens, companies, and small business owners. They have extended waste responsibility telling producers they have obligations in reducing their waste and having proper waste management plans. Companies are also required to register their waste and can’t collect, transport, or dump waste anytime. They need to follow the requirements since an authorized person checks the waste before being dumped in landfills. For households, recycling is highly encouraged, and waste segregation is strictly implemented.
Countries That Need Improvement On Waste Management
Even though there are countries that have the best solid waste management countries, there are also others that need improvement with their waste management countries.
According to the global waste index of ranking countries and their waste management, here are the top 10 countries with poor waste management:
- Turkey
- Latvia
- New Zealand
- Mexico
- Chile
- Italy
- Estonia
- Canada
- Slovak Republic
- Israel
Conclusion
Solid waste management is important worldwide to help reduce the production of waste for a healthy environment, not only for all people and organisms. As a citizen in your respective country, it is your duty and responsibility to abide by the local authorities’ policies implemented on waste management. You can also lessen your trash by doing the reduce, reuse, and recycling practice.
