Trash has become a debated topic in America and across the globe. What are the best ways to reduce waste? What are ways to keep trash from hitting landfills? How can recycling save the planet?
These are all important and progressive questions being asked in regard to this planetary problem. Recycling services have become more prevalent in cities all over the world, and many trash removal services are insisting on the use of the “blue bin.”
However, despite many of these efforts, the problem of waste management is something that continues to come up.
The only true solution to the problem is to stop producing waste altogether. The term ‘zero-waste’ has been thrown about in the past 20 years or so, and in some places it has caught real traction. Cities around the world are adopting a zero-waste policy that will reduce their waste production to 100%, meaning a complete practical application of the three Rs. The “3 Rs,” otherwise known as reduce, reuse, and recycle, are waste management strategies to minimize waste. Some places have taken that philosophy quite seriously, including these two.
San Fransisco
San Fransisco has been working towards zero waste since the 70s, and are already at over 80%. They project 100% by 2020but might run into problems when their current tactics only get them to 90%. In order to get to 100%, there have to be state and national regulations put in place to begin changing product manufacturing. Currently, however, the city has many regulations in effect already such as a mandatory composting law, banning plastic bags, and incentives provided by trash removal services, which at this rate could likely get them to 90%.
Sweden
Sweden’s zero waste policy is a bit different from the rest of the world’s perception of the term. Instead of creating zero waste, Sweden simply converts their garbage into fuel by burning it at waste incineration plants. The plants actually create energy and Sweden burns millions of tons of garbage a year to power itself. In fact, Sweden has become so efficient that they need to import garbage from nearby cities to feed their waste-to-energy plants. Their trash removal services are actually more or less trash bringing services.
Even though it seems like zero waste is a pipe dream, it’s quite possible. These cities have already made significant headway in converting to green living, and even New York City is beginning its adoption of green as well. The only way for the problem of waste to get solved is by following the lead of those who have already eliminated it.
