This is aparently good information fit for here, but the original post had a flame-war-starting tone and was in an inappropriate community, so I asked GPT-4 to rewrite it in a better tone and I’m crossposting it here.
The original is here: https://lemmy.world/post/4309331
Trash Management: More Than Just an Environmental Cause
A common misconception regarding garbage disposal is that advanced techniques are exclusive to a few top-performing countries in recycling and waste handling. This post is aimed at debunking such notions by emphasizing the equally remarkable potential and economic viability of modern waste management strategies. You might be surprised to learn how technologically achievable and profitable it can be!
Sweden’s Approach - Turning Trash to Treasure
In Sweden, we subscribe to the school of thought that trash has value. Here, only a meager 1% of waste ends up in landfills. The rest is processed effectively - we recycle about 47% and incinerate approximately 52%.
Addressing Concerns: Is Incineration Environmentally Sound?
You might be alarmed to hear that we burn so much waste, raising questions about the environmental implications, like air quality. Here’s where technology steps in. We apply advanced methods to clean the fumes effectively. Further, the residue from incineration is either repurposed or responsibly disposed of in strictly controlled landfills.
Moreover, we convert the energy from waste into a substantial power source. Burning 4 tons of waste generates an amount of energy equivalent to burning 1 ton of oil. Consequently, this method heats a million homes via district heating and powers 250,000 homes.
The Reality of Plastic Recycling
Let’s discuss plastic recycling, a topic often laden with misconceptions. Contrary to popular belief, it is indeed possible and profitable to recycle nearly all types of plastics.
In Sweden, “Swedish Plastic Recycling AB” undertakes the majority of our plastic recycling. As we speak, they are constructing the world’s most extensive plastic recycling facility, Site Zero. This largely automated system will handle the entire country’s plastic waste and categorize and recycle multiple types of plastics, including PP, HDPE, LDPE, PET trays and bottles (colored and transparent), PP film, EPS, PS, PVC, two grades of Polyolefin mix, metal, and non-plastic waste.
Let this shared information serve as an eye-opener - not only to change how we perceive waste, but also to herald a fresh perspective on its management. I invite you to delve further into the topic, find more sources, and voice stronger arguments to contribute to enlightening discussions about waste management. Let’s spread the word whenever the topic of trash comes up, and together, we can drive the change we need to see on a global scale.
Another interesting approach to trash management is what Taiwan does. Taiwan charges per bag of trash, and residents have to manually bring out their bags on trash day to garbage trucks that sing like ice cream trucks. This makes each person care about how much they are throwing away, as unlike in places that charge a flat fee per bin per week, you could spend or save a lot of money and effort on trash days based on how much waste you make. However, in most municipalities, recycling and composting are free, encouraging residents to choose items with the least amount of recyclable/compostable waste to save money. While such a system would not go over well with the people if it were implemented in a place like the US, the program is successful in Taiwan and has done wonders for reducing their waste and keeping their cities clean