The logo to the left is placed on packaging to indicate that recycling costs have been prepaid. The symbol made its debut in Germany in the early 90's and is now used in 24 European countries (Do you know how many countries there are in Europe? No? Me either...)When I buy a washing machine, for example, the cost of disposing the packaging is included in the purchase price. To get rid of all the cardboard, plastic and styrofoam etc, I still have to take it to the dump. But no money is ever collected at a dump for disposal. When the washing machine itself has reached the end of its life, the same thing applies: haul it to the dump. The recycling has been prepaid.
Sweden proudly touts the world's highest recycling rates. Here are some recycling statistics for Sweden year 2007 from REPA. REPA is Sweden's register for producer's responsibility and collects producer's fees for recycling packaging.
Amount recycled plastic, 65%. Sweden's goal: 70%
Amount recycled paper packaging, 73%. Sweden's goal: 65%
Amount recycled metal packaging, 67%. Sweden's goal: 70%
Amount recycled glass, 95%. Sweden's goal: 70%
Amount recycled newspaper, 85%. Sweden's goal: 75%
This is what I write about on a dark, rainy November evening in front of the fire. I lit the fire with some wadded up newspaper. I estimate that 85% of the newspapers I get go to recycling and the rest goes up in smoke.
2 comments:
In the US there are a variety of recycling schemes. San Francisco has elaborate separation of the various streams. I have no idea how they pay for it.
Our township in NJ is cutting back on recycling because it loses too much money...
sigh
Recycling is a great alternative to save our planet or decrease the pollution. I think this problem still have a sollution, just depend of us. We need to think about our vehaviour and make a change and start to make the difference.
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