The rise of waste across the globe has become a major concern. This is leading to disasters that are difficult to manage. According to reports, annually, over 33% of waste, i.e., 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste produced annually worldwide. Also, these wastes are not handled in an environmentally friendly manner.
The average amount of waste produced per person daily is 0.74 kilograms, but the range goes wide, from 0.11 to 4.54 kilograms.
Moreover, poor waste management leads to pollution. It is polluting the world’s oceans and harming aquatic life. The wastes are also clogging drains and resulting in flooding. Eventually, it leads to the spreading of life-threatening infections in mankind. Therefore government across the globe has taken important measures to improve waste management.
Since the year 2000, the World Bank has committed $4.7 billion to help over 340 solid waste management programs across the world. Governments of different countries have taken initiatives to manage global waste together. In this article, let’s discuss the initiatives and actions in detail.
Global initiatives were taken for carbon emission reduction.
Solid waste management was one of the major concerns which needed immediate action. It has been estimated that a lack of management can lead to the emission of 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2 gas by 2050. CCS aims to reduce its Greenhouse gas emissions by 78% by 2035 based on its 2019/20 baseline. In 2019/20 CCS GHG baseline report shows the emissions were 829.791 tonnes.
This was a great carbon emission footstep taken by the government of the United Kingdom. Under this, staff training and behavior change initiatives were identified to reach the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
The US has also taken initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas by 50-52% in 2030. Also, the nation is focusing on 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035. It is all set to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Ban on Plastic Bags
Plastic waste has become a huge matter of concern. Being nonbiodegradable, it takes over 450 years to decompose. Many countries have come forward to ban plastic bags. Awareness was spread among the people regarding the hazardous nature of plastic. In the year 2002, Bangladesh became the first to announce a ban on plastic bags.
Further, In 2020, the High Court of the country ordered a ban on single-use plastics in all coastal hotels.
Also, in the same year, New York City had headlines as it announced a ban on plastic bags. Eventually, many countries followed in their footsteps and reduced plastic usage. People have become self-aware of plastic waste degradation. It was a great step taken by governments worldwide to reduce solid waste.
Sweden has taken master moves to manage its trash
The Swedish government has taken incredible steps to manage waste. With its incredible steps, the country has become trash free and asked other countries for their waste to run their recycling plants.
The country’s less than one percent of household waste goes directly to the landfill dump. At the same time, the other % of waste is recycled in various ways. There are about 32 waste management plants in Sweden. It generates heat for 810,000 Swedish households. Moreover, it supplies electricity to above 250,000 private houses. Therefore, individually Sweden has taken a major step in reducing the global waste outcome.
Swacch Bharat Abhiyan – India’s step towards sustainable future
With the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan program, India has moved towards cleaner and sustainable development. The program focused on rural villages and households. Awareness was spread to maintain hygiene and sanitation. It eventually led to a reduction of waste in the surroundings.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs drafted the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan 2.0 to shift the focus on waste management. It specifically includes the management of solid waste and sludge. The mission constantly evolved to tackle the use of plastic in the country.
After making the rural villages Open Defecation Free, now the second phase of the program aims to include parameters for sludge management. It focuses on making India free of dumping waste in the surrounding.
A Battle against the Styrofoam Plastic by New York, United States
There are different forms of plastic, for example, Styrofoam, also known as polystyrene. This form is highly non-biodegradable. It is also difficult to undergo recycling solutions. Styrofoam breaks down into harmful particles, which causes contamination in the ecosystem. Moreover, it also affects aquatic life. New York became the first-ever state in the US to announce the Styrofoam ban in 1988.
Later, the polystyrene ban was in several countries, including Aliso Viejo, Huntington Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, San Clemente, and the Santa Margarita Water District. Also, measures were taken to limit its requirement for takeout food packaging.
Actions were taken against companies for being liable for packaging waste
Maine was the first ever US state to enact a strict law against businesses and enterprises becoming accountable for producing packaging waste in 2021. The Extended Producer Responsibility program has shifted the cost of recycling and disposing of cardboard, plastic containers, and non-recyclable packaging to the producers. Later, Oregon became the second US state to introduce a packaging law in less than a month.
India’s Plastic Waste Management Program
Major initiatives were taken to reduce plastic waste under the plastic waste management (PWM) initiatives. Regulatory frameworks were highlighted for plastic waste management by UNDP India’s Plastic Waste Management Program (2018-2024) and The Plastics Manufacture and Usage (Amendment) Rules (2003).
Further, the Environment Ministry of India has recently announced the “Prakrit” initiative. It started on July 1, 2022; according to the program, the nation adopted an outright ban on single-use plastic items such as earphones with plastic shafts, glasses, plastic flags, silverware, plates, and other single-use plastic items.
Colombia’s Recycling Solution
The municipalities of Colombia produced over 28,800 tonnes of solid waste every day. About 10,000 tonnes of it comes from the major cities of the country. To overcome this, the country has developed the smart solution of ECOBOT. It was a rewarding recycling initiative promoting recycling solutions throughout the country.
The initiatives just do not order or make people aware of recycling waste, and it rewards and incentivizes people for each recycled item. ECOBOT is a Reverse Vending Machine that you will find in public places. It encourages the recycling of PET bottles.
Japan came up with an innovative recycling solution
Japan is one of the nations which took the recycling methods seriously. They have integrated advanced technology into the waste management process. Japan successfully handles large tonnes of waste and is committed to safeguarding the environment. Every citizen of Japan follows the efficient method of recycling and reusing waste.
The government of the nation encourages and promotes water separation. People precisely manage their own waste through a system of classification and pick-up schedules that they consistently follow.
Kamikatsu, a small mountain town with challenging access to the system available in big cities, has succeeded remarkably. Here, the families are responsible for sorting the waste into 34 categories before sending it to recycling facilities.
The town currently recycles 90% of its waste. By 2020, it has reached the goal of recycling most of its waste. Moreover, Japan is also successful with a high metal recycling rate. The Tokyo Olympic Games medals are made of recycled metals.
Ban of Microbeads in major countries around the world
The microscopic plastic particles, known as microbeads, gave our daily usage products like toothpaste, household cleaners, and facial cleansers more scrubbing power. But, it has also introduced plastic into the natural waters.
Netherlands was the first country to forbid microbeads usage in personal care products back in 2014. Later, nations like South Korea and Australia came forward to take necessary action against microbeads. The UK government has also taken introduced some strictest laws.
The 2018 it has forbidden the manufacture of microbead-containing products as well as the use of “biodegradable” microbeads. There is still a long way to go; however, many nations have passed laws addressing the microbead issue. Nations like the US have exceptions to the laws established by their 2015 microbeads ban.
Final Thoughts
The above initiatives taken by governments of different countries have driven and strengthened waste management methods globally. These methods will make the nations more resilient towards extreme climate occurrences. Proper management of waste also leads to economic development. Now, mankind together can tackle issues of waste surrounding and their living environment. Today’s generation has become more conscious of managing and decomposing wastes naturally. The government also has long-term waste management goals to save the environment and its natural resources.
Ravi Ranjan