Swedish Recycling Revolution

Sweden Recycles so much that it has run out of waste and now it has to import garbage to fuel its energy programs. Humans, Countries and Ecosystems are affected by this recycling program called “Zero Waste to Landfills”. The recycling process that Sweden promotes is helping reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases emissions for a better world.

The Process

After separating hazardous waste and recyclable material, these are sent to different waste management systems like incinerators and recycling and a very low amount to landfills, only 4 percent of garbage is dumped in the ground. Fifty percent of the household waste is burnt to produce energy at incineration plants, the ashes and  metals left are separated and recycled, the rest such as porcelain and tile is sifted to extract graved that is used in roads construction . “The furnaces in waste-to-energy (WTE) plants are loaded with garbage, and then burnt to generate steam which is further used to spin turbines in order to produce electricity. The waste that is recycled is essentially used as a resource, converted into district heating, electricity, biogas, and biofertelizer” (Globalcitizen.org). Waste incineration provides heat for the need of 810,000 homes and electricity for 250,000 homes. Sweden imports garbage from neighbouring Norway, but also from Netherlands, Finland, Denmark; Ireland, England and Scotland in order to produce enough electricity and heat. The Swedish program for recycling is very efficient, more than 99% of all household waste is recycled in one way or another. The first incineration plant was set up in 1904, today there are 32 plants.

The local municipalities are responsible for household waste, the producers are responsible for their respective products, and industrial community is responsible for the rest that does not fall on the two others. “The Swedish law also makes the waste producers responsible for handling all costs related to the collection  and recycling or disposing of their products”(Government.se). This program makes sure that every citizen engages to a greener future, plus swedes follow an Environmental Code that promotes sustainable development to assure health and sound environment for present and future generations.  They've had a tax on carbon since 1991, currently the tax is $150 per ton of CO2. This encourages innovation and the use of green heating technologies. “Sweden has developed a competitive advantage in technology related to sustainability. In 2014, Sweden ranked 4th in the Global Cleantech Innovation Index.” (Sweden.se). This demonstrates how other countries should use Sweden as a role model, considering that only 38% of household waste was recycled in 1975.

Photo: SRV

Taking GHG and CO2 Into Account

Many people believe that it is ironic how they recycle and use waste to provide heat and electricity if the plants that produce it emit C02 and greenhouse gases that affect the environment but Sweden has taken that in consideration. “The Swedish Environmental Code requires that an environmental impact assessment be carried out before permission can be given for an environmentally hazardous activity. This assessment takes into account the impact on people, animals, soil, water, air, the landscape and the cultural environment.” (Sweden.se).  Sweden has been one of the most environmentally forward-thinking nations. Ecosystems get affected in a good way because recycling has encouraged environmental issues control and the Environmental Code is applied to ensure valuable natural and cultural environments protection and preservation, preservation of biological diversity, the use of land, water, and physical environment in general must be such as to secure a long term good management in ecological, cultural and economic terms.  Also “each municipality has an energy adviser to whom people can turn for help and guidance.” (Sweden.se).

The nation was the 1st one to establish an environmental protection agency in 1967 and in 1972 with the UN after the 1st conference related to environment, led to the creation of the United NAtions Energy Program. This shows that everything has been programmed cautiously in order to assure protection of every living soul, and to make sure future generations don't suffer from Climate Change or similar situations.

 In this stationary vacuum system, users throw their waste into ordinary inlets, where the bags are stored temporarily. All full inlets are then emptied at regular intervals through a network of underground pipes.

Source: Sweden.se

Photo: Envac

Thoughts

     I think that Sweden is a country other governments should look up to because the citizens live in a ecological and sustainable environment where people work as a team to achieve this. A lot of money in the country is invested in green technology, which I believe is a smart decision because they are not only helping reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases emissions there, but in all the world. It also has a positive effect in animals and plants because this nation focuses not only in problems caused by humans affecting humans but affecting all kinds of life. The Environmental Code, as I stated before, assures health for all life and it would be great if other countries followed the same code. Finally, I hope that we take action, not for ourselves but for the people who surround us.

At the Gärstadverken in Linköping, waste is turned into energy. The chart shows how much recycling has grown in Sweden over the last decades.
Source: Sweden.se
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

Work Cited

Bakshi, Garima. "Here's How Sweden Is Recycling 99% of Its Waste." Global Citizen. SIWI- Stockholm International Water Institute, 25 Aug. 2016. Web. 25 May 2017.

carbontax.org "Home." Carbon Tax Center. Carbon Tax Center, 2017. Web. 25 May 2017.

Fredén, Jonas. "The Swedish Recycling Revolution." Sweden.se. Sweden Sverige, 29 Mar. 2017. Web. 25 May 2017.

Maureen Sugden. “A Green Revolution? the Swedish Reckon It's a Load of Rubbish.” Daily Mail (London), 14 Sept. 2015. Questia School, 24 May 2017.

Realmelo.  "A Quick Look At Sweden's Carbon Tax. " Real Melo: A Master Of Food & Resource Economics Candidate. Wordpress, 6 Mar. 2013. Web. 25 May 2017.

Sugden, Maureen. "A Green Revolution? The Swedish Reckon It's a Loadof Rubbish." PressReader. Scottish Daily Mail, 14 Sept. 2015. Web. 25 May 2017.

"Sweden Tackles Climate Change." Sweden.se. Sweden Sverige, 03 Feb. 2016. Web. 24 May 2017.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy, The Swedish Environmental Code, 17 May 2015. PDF

Towards a Greener Future with Swedish Waste-to-Energy. Avfall Sverige Swedish Waste Management. Prostgatan 2, SE-211 25 Malmö. PDF.