Sweden Importing Trash After Recycling 100 Percent of Its Waste

We have discussed previously how the United States has lost the lead in environmental sciences and policy. The latest such example is Sweden, which is now importing garbage from other countries to keep its recycling plants going. Less than 1 per cent of Swedish household waste was sent to landfill since 2011 because Swedish families are so good at recycling waste.

We hit a high point last year of 34.3 percent — the rest ended up in incinerators or landfills.

Sweden imposed a heavy tax on fossil fuel in 1991 and now have an energy support that is mostly produced through renewables. Part of that renewable energy is from garbage. Its incineration centers for garbage supply 250,000 homes and heating for 950,000 homes. The problem is that the Swedes are exceptionally vigilant on recycling and produce little garbage. So other countries are sending their waste to Sweden.

Of course, incineration is the least favored approach for environmentalists in favor of actual recycling. Yet, as we have previously discussed, the status of alternative fuels and recycling in Europe shows how far behind we are as a country. Clearly, these are smaller countries with few logistical problems. However, they are also countries that put a huge priority on alternative fuels and recycling. The result is not only a greater compliance with global warming initiatives but a cleaner and healthier environment for citizens.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/sweden-s-recycling-is-so-revolutionary-the-country-has-run-out-of-rubbish-a7462976.html