College of Western Idaho
Beyond the Bin: The United States
versus Sweden
Miranda Storey
0081000
English 102-011W
Leslie Jewkes
6 May 2013
Abstract
The United States makes up for five
percent of the world’s population, yet generates over 30 percent of its trash.
(“Recycling Facts & Statistics Infographic”) Trash build-up has become out
of control, and Americans need to seek help from other resources before it is
too late. With Sweden being the world leader in recycling, the United States
needs to readdress its recycling tactics and implement a plan that will
encourage Americans that going green is the way to go. The United States offers
curb side assistance in populated cities, and in some areas fines will be left
for trash that contains too much recyclable material. (Lincoln, 1) Seattle has
created a program that picks up trash in the city and if there is too much
recyclable material in the bin, the bin is tagged, much like Sweden’s program. Sweden
has become so successful at recycling; the country experienced a trash shortage
and was forced to import trash from surrounding nations. (Hickerman) American
should look to Sweden for help in regards to trash problems, because after all,
their recycling ways have become successful for them. Now is the time for
America to become a green nation, before the trash gets the best of the US.
Beyond the Bin: The United States
versus Sweden
Trash accumulation is an issue that has
spiraled out of hands in the recent years. In order to sustain a future living
environment for generations to come, something needs to be done to take care of
the growing trash problems. The United States consists of percent of the
world’s population, yet generates over 30 percent of its trash. (“Recycling
Facts & Statistics Infographic”) Even with growing awareness of recycling,
“in 2010 Americans generated about 250 million tons of trash and recycled and
composted over 85 million tons of this material…” (“Municipal Solid Waste”). These
numbers are outrageous, and if something is not done they will become
disastrous. With Sweden being the world leader in recycling, the United States
needs to readdress its recycling tactics and implement a plan that will
encourage Americans that green is the way to go.
The United States has been making headway towards better
recycling programs, however it is not enough for the amount of waste that is
generated. Recycling is a very controversial subject across the US; in some
areas curb side assistance is offered, and in others a fine will be left if
recyclables are thrown in the trash. (Lincoln, 1) In fact, some states are even
creating laws that mandate recycling of certain materials, like TV’s and
computers. Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina have all created
laws that mandate the recycling of all electronic materials. (“New States
Require…”) With these new laws in place and the programs offered, the question
arises: Are these efforts enough to thoroughly reduce the amount of trash
Americans accumulate? Other ways some states have tried to encourage recycling
is deposits or refund values on cans, landfill bans, mandatory recycling bills,
recycling goals, and fines for trash containing recyclable materials.
(Langston)
Seattle
created a mandatory recycling bill in 2006, prohibiting any business,
apartment, or household of throwing away more than 10 percent of recyclable
materials in their garbage. The bill has worked very well for them, and their
recycling rates have increased drastically. If more than 10 percent is found,
the city will tag their can. On the third tag, a $50 fine will be left.
(Langston). Seattle is just one city that has worked hard to reduce their waste
build-up, and more cities need to look at waste reduction as a serious issue.
The United States in general, lacks in recycling efforts despite the rising
numbers the past few years. Sweden on the other hand, is the number one country
in the world when it comes to recycling.
Sweden’s recycling laws have become part of the everyday
Swede’s lifestyle, and due to this they have actually struggled from trash
shortages. Sweden relies on waste-to-energy incineration programs to heat over
250,000 homes, and because the countries people are not generating enough
burnable waste, they have been forced to look elsewhere for garbage to heat
their homes. (Hickerman) Sweden’s four percent of trash that is not recycled is
used in the incinerators to heat their homes, so it is a win-win situation: no
trash, and heated homes. American’s only recycle around 34 percent of their
waste, leaving the remaining 66 percent to be sent to the landfill. (Kavoussi)
Sweden has mandated recycling; much in the same way that Seattle has done in
the United States, tagging and fining trash that contains an excessive amount
of recyclable material in it. Swedes recycle everything they can: trash,
clothing, and even furniture. (“Sustainable Living…”) Recycling is something that
Swedes take pride in, because they do, after all, have the cleanest country in
the world. Americans need to strive to be a more environmentally sound country
before time runs out.
America needs to reanalyze how recycling will benefit the
nation, and “the first step starts with the people” (Lincoln, 1). More Americans
need to be concerned with the trash build-up, and need to strive for a cleaner,
greener environment. If this happens, then our 66 percent of trash that is sent
to the landfills could potentially be cut in half. There is no time left to
mess around, a plan must be implemented nationwide. Wasteland is forming and
the environment is suffering. As you can see in the graph below, in 2010
American’s generated 250 million tons of municipal solid waste and this is how
it was broken down:
|
As noticeable, over 50 percent of waste could have been recycled in 2010, yet only 34 percent was. That is not a high enough percentage of material being recycled if a sustainable, healthy living environment is the goal for America’s growing population. Recycling should not be thrown on the back burner, and should not be left alone until it is too late. It is time to implement a national plan that will create better hope for the future. America needs to say no to becoming a wasteland and say yes to becoming environmentally friendly.
Sweden, being the world leader in recycling, is a country
that America should turn to for help with recycling tactics and to create a
plan that will turn America into a green nation. Some states have become aware
of America’s growing trash issues, and have started to implement laws banning
the disposal of certain materials like computers and televisions. (“New States
Require…”) This is a great example of something that could be done to help with
recycling. Seattle’s recycling program has been a tremendous success thus far,
and as can tell, the same program has worked for Sweden this whole time. (“Sustainable
Living…”) There are so many different options that Americans have to help
recycle, it is hard to take action and physically contribute the needed part.
However, is the time to become a green nation, before the trash gets the best of
the US. Now, go pick up some cans!
Works Cited
Kavoussi,
Bonnie. "Sweden Must Import Trash For Energy Conversion Because Its
Recycling Program Is So Successful ." The Huffington Post.
TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., 12 SEPT 2012. Web. 15 Apr 2013.
Langston,
Jennifer. "Mandatory recycling working well". Seattle pi, 14 March
2006. Web. 15 Apr 2013.
Lincoln,
Mindy. “ Interview by Miranda Storey." Message to Mindy Lincoln. 28 Feb
2012. E-mail.
"Municipal
Solid Waste." United States Environmental Protection Agency. EPA, 15 Nov
2012. Web. 17 Apr 2013.
Hickerman, Matt.
"Sweden runs out of garbage, forced to import from Norway ." Mother
Nature Network. MNN Holdings, LLC, 25 OCT 2012. Web. 13 Apr 2013.
"New
States Require TV and PC Recycling." ECOWORLD Nature and Technology in Harmony.
EcoWorld Media LLC, 04 Jan 2011. Web. 15 Apr 2013.
"Recycling
Facts & Statistics Infographic." Waste Solutions on a Global Scale.
Harmony Enterprises, 02 Feb 2012. Web. 15 Feb 2013.
"Sustainable
living: Living for the future." SWEDEN.SE. Swedish Institute, 15 MARCH
2012. Web. 15 Apr 2013.
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