Sweden has figured out recycling. This shows, as they are the highest recyclers in the world.
To talk about recycling we also have to mention all streams of waste - not just the products that are eligible to be recycled. In fact,only 1% of Sweden's trash goes into a landfill. Just to reiterate, 99% of Sweden’s waste is recycled! 52% is burned and converted into energy and then the remaining 47% is recycled and given another life.
Recycling is simply a way of life in Sweden. It is ingrained in the culture and taught to kids at a very young age. Literature says, culture is a huge factor that drives sustainable development - it starts with the mindset of the people. So Sweden is a progressive leader to know this kind of change starts with youth.
Sweden has strict laws and regulations that not only aid in recycling and recyclability of products, but make it so that certain products aren’t manufactured, packaged, or imported in the first place to end up in the wastestream. They also highly encourage citizens to firstly reduce and reuse before recycling.
Recycling is just an initial step to work towards climate goals and sustainability. It’s not the end all be all for the climate, but such a foundational place to start. Changing our everyday habits and behavior is where this change will happen and I believe Sweden is leading the way.
4 Main Ways Sweden Accomplishes 1% of Waste in Landfills:
Education to Citizens
Social Systems in Place
Extended Producer Responsibility Law
Waste-To-Energy Model
Sources:
https://unece.org/sustainable-energy/about-methane-management-0
https://www.svenskplastatervinning.se/en/about-plastic-recycling/
https://www.worldcleanupday.org/country/sweden#:~:text=Hela%20Sverige%20plockar%20skr%C3%A4p%202024,sustainable%20and%20litter%20free%20world!&text=On%20this%20day%2C%20Keep%20Sweden,all%20the%20litter%20we%20see.