Indian cities like Pune are slowly transformed into one huge garbage dump thanks to faulty civic planning. The problem of garbage could really be solved if we follow Sweden pattern. There is no garbage left in Sweden country after implementation of this pattern. Sweden has been ‘importing’ trash from neighboring Norway to feed its waste-to-energy programme that provides, through burning, heat and electricity to thousands of households in the country with a population of 9.5 million. Sweden’s superefficient waste segregation and recycling systems have made sure only about 4% of the country’s waste ends up in landfills.
Firstly, Sweden started putting effective systems in place from the early 1990s and took a holistic approach, through policy changes, engagement with industry and awareness programs, to reach out to all stakeholders of Swedish society.
Sweden has encouraged heavy recycling by combining economic incentives, such as garbage collection fees, with easy access to recycling stations and public awareness campaigns. In 2005, Sweden made it illegal to landfill organic waste. Instead, the waste is biologically treated to make compost, biogas and fertilizer. Landfill bans and taxes were introduced, and targets set for increased recycling. More than 90% of household waste in Sweden is recycled, reused or recovered.
By law, companies are responsible for collecting the entire waste-stream stemming from their products, either on their own or through public or private contractors. There is a strong economic incentive for companies to produce less waste from products and product packaging. However, the bulk of the waste is converted into energy through processes that have been refined over the years to be as clean and environmentally sustainable as possible. In fact, Sweden claims that the damage to the environment caused by the release of dioxins, harmful chemicals released when waste is incinerated, is less than the damage caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
Surely, Sweden is showing Asia’s growing cities how to make a clean sweep.
