Finland recycles 99% of its household waste, with only 1% going to landfills.

The country's success is due to citizen awareness, government interaction, and automated waste management systems.

Japan has a well-established waste sorting system, using transparent bags and a "pay-as-you-throw" system with collection and recycling fees.

South Korea has a highly effective waste management system, with over 50% recycling rate.

The government plays a crucial role in promoting waste sorting and recycling, as seen in countries like Finland, Japan, and South Korea.

Education and awareness, as seen in countries like Japan and Finland, play a key role in promoting waste sorting and recycling habits from a young age.

The European Union aims to recycle 55% of municipal waste and 65% of packaging waste by 2025.

Some EU member states are on track to meet the targets, while others are at risk of missing them.

Taiwan and Singapore have implemented successful waste management systems, with Taiwan introducing a waste levy and Singapore achieving a 51.7% recycling rate in 2020.

Technology, like robotic waste sorting systems, is improving waste sorting and recycling efficiency.

Implementing effective waste sorting and recycling systems can create jobs, generate economic value, and reduce environmental impacts.

Countries like Finland, Japan, and South Korea have demonstrated successful waste sorting and recycling systems with significant economic benefits.

Finland recycles 99% of its household waste, with only 1% going to landfills.

Title:

Content: Finland is the European leader in municipal solid waste recycling
Today, 11: 56 AM
Photo: vantaanenergia.fi
It took a little more than 20 years for Finland to almost completely abandon the landfill of solid municipal waste.
At the same time, giant landfills, even if they are closed, are not reclaimed here, in the Russian sense of the word, but turned into a source of income.
Currently, 99% of the country ’ s garbage is sorted and recycled.
Only 1% of the total amount of MSW produced has a chance to end up in a landfill.
One of the largest closed landfills is located in the satellite city of Helsinki – Espoo.
Its area is comparable to 280 football fields and is almost 200 hectares.
It is not surprising that after the closure, an industrial center was formed on its territory, in which enterprises for the generation of electricity and heat from landfill gas, as well as enterprises engaged in the processing of certain types of secondary raw materials (waste paper and glass) are concentrated.
In Ekpoo is the headquarters of the famous Finnish energy company Fortum.
It occupies a special place in the circular economy of waste.
In particular, it is engaged in the processing of plastic.
Up to 95% of the plastic in the waste generated by the Finns goes to its plant in another satellite city of Helsinki, Riihimäki.
Here, in automated production, plastic is sorted, cleaned, crushed and granulated.
According to experts, about 22 percent of all plastic waste is recycled in Finland.
The maximum percentage of plastic that can be recycled reaches about 80 percent, and they are striving to come to this figure in the coming years.
Non-recyclable plastic waste enters the furnace, where during combustion, heat is released, which, thanks to turbines and a water heating system, becomes electricity and hot water.
Containers without garbage trucks and five containers on chips
One often hears the astonished stories of relatives and friends living in St. Petersburg about how separate garbage collection is organized in Helsinki.
Visiting the Finnish capital in recent years has not been difficult.
Of course, a simple tourist is not up to landfills and thoughts about where and who takes waste, but there is something that will not remain without the attention of travelers.
A resident of St. Petersburg, Alexander often went on business trips to the capital of Finland, Helsinki.
He says that in some neighborhoods of the city there are containers that are not serviced by garbage trucks.
Our company for business trips often rented apartments, garbage from them had to be taken out by yourself.
You know, it is very unusual, not only to sort waste into five types (biomass, paper, mixed waste, cardboard and plastic), how much to understand that the containers are equipped with sensors that, when filled, report this to the waste control panel and the garbage is pumped out of the container via a pneumatic pipe, immediately getting to the recycling point.
Not everyone has access to such containers, but only residents of the microdistrict, since a special key-chip is needed to open it, - Alexander.
Such a waste sorting and collection system has been developed and implemented by the Finnish company Marimatic.
The technology is called MetroTaifun.
So far, it is only available in one suburb of the capital.
As its developers write, the entire system is automated, from each container its own pneumatic pipe delivers waste directly to the plant, where when raw materials arrive, its processing begins (additional sorting, grinding, pressing, etc.).
Perhaps, this will look like in the future the treatment of municipal waste in large megacities.
It's tomorrow's business.
What's today?
Large metropolis surrounded by recycling facilities
The peculiarity of the “garbage reform ” in Finland is that the country started it later than other European countries, so it could take advantage of other people ’ s experience and avoid mistakes.
The main thing on which the bet was made was to find ways to prevent waste from reaching landfills.
To do this, a separate collection of waste was introduced, which captured not only container sites and households, but also stores, as well as the manufacturers of goods themselves.
In cities, waste-free fast food and restaurants are not uncommon, hundreds of entrepreneurs find new niches for the use of secondary resources (for example, they produce fabrics from threads of previously used things), open second-hand and much more.
In almost every shopping center there are vending machines for receiving containers.
Around Helsinki, in its cities satellites built a network of sorting stations.
They specialize in certain types of waste.
All stations are located almost within the city limits.
Organic waste, which is usually the source of the garbage smell, is immediately taken to the plant for composting.
The whole process here is automated and produced in containers isolated from the environment.
Residents of neighboring high-rise buildings do not even think about what kind of object for sorting, recycling or recycling is located nearby.
The strict sanitary and environmental standards adopted in the country do not give any chance for environmental pollution.
Unsorted waste and so-called "tails" in the metropolitan area are taken to the incinerator in Vantaa.
There, the first incineration line was launched in 2014, the second in 2020.
The construction was not cheap - 300 million euros.
The plant is operated by Vantaan Energia.
Every day it receives up to 150 tons of waste.
According to the company on the website, the plant can burn up to 400 cubic meters of waste per second.
Every five seconds, he burns the annual volume of garbage produced by a Finnish family of three.
The German technology known as the Düsseldorf System is used here: the combustion temperature is about 1000 degrees Celsius, from the waste receiving bin it enters the rolls, where it is crushed and gradually lowered into the combustion chamber.
Thus, the filtration system eliminates harmful emissions.
Every year about 700 tons of various materials, mostly heavy metals, are extracted from flue gases and disposed of by Ekokem in Riihimäki (another suburb of Helsenki).
Slag is exported to the Emmassuo landfill, and gravel bottom slag is used in earthworks.
Now the company is testing a technology that allows the use of the ash formed.
The main difference from the German analogue - ignition is made by gas, not fuel oil.
The plant has built a bunker that allows you to store waste in reserve so that the technological process does not stop.
After all, the incinerator is also a thermal power plant, which produces 920 gigawatt hours of district heating per year, which is almost half of the needs of the city of Vantaa, and 600 gigawatt hours of electricity, which is 30% of the needs of Vantaa per year.
According to environmentalists, such production is more economical refers to resources, since fossil fuels are practically not used here.
The combined effect of producing such a volume of heat and electricity allows us to talk about a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 20%, compared with the fact that the TPP operated on traditional fuels.
The reasons for this success were commented by the co-chairman of the Green Shield environmental society, editor-in-chief of the Ural Meridian news agency Alexander Anikin.
The main distinguishing feature of Finnish reform is the correct emphasis.
Garbage was immediately considered as a source of energy.
Therefore, energy companies have joined the recycling process, which are used to being responsible for both the quality of services and environmental friendliness.
The tasks were immediately global - to sort and return to circulation secondary resources, as well as to prevent the simple storage of waste at landfills.
It is this approach that radically changed the industry, making it strategic from purely communal.
Innovation and technology can and should be adopted, as our northern neighbor does.
It ’ s also a lesson we need to learn.
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The country's success is due to citizen awareness, government interaction, and automated waste management systems.

Japan has a well-established waste sorting system, using transparent bags and a "pay-as-you-throw" system with collection and recycling fees.

Title:

Content: Waste Levy ｜ Japan has been a model for decades, Okinawa Hong Kong families share the key to success
Author: Law Baoxi
Published: Updated:
“I remember the first time we dropped garbage out of the streets in Japan, our family watched the whole process to see if our garbage was successfully handled, and finally the garbage truck was recycled. We clapped our hands, ” Oki-Family, a Hong Kong resident in Okinawa, told reporters.
Japan's waste levy and recycling has been implemented for many years, and the local domestic waste treatment, recycling and classification are very perfect, and recycling accounts for 20%.
It can be said that the relevant policies have long been integrated into the ordinary life of the Japanese people and become the local way of life.
If Hong Kong is about to introduce a waste levy, what can we learn from Japan?
This is part of the "Garbage Levy, How to Do It in a Foreign Country?" series.
Oki-Family, a family of three who have lived in Japan for eight years, now lives in Toyomi City, Okinawa Prefecture. The couple, Leung Sheng and Leung, recently shared with Hong Kong 01 the situation of local waste levies and recycling.
“There are many cities in Okinawa, and each city has its own system, so every time you move, you have to adapt and get used to it. ”
At present, our family mainly uses the largest garbage bag, which costs about 20 yen (more than HK $1.03) a.
The average monthly amount spent on waste collection and recycling is about 300 yen (over HK $16), "he said.
There are different waste management and recycling regulations in Japan. Levy standards vary from prefecture to city. According to Leung, Japan ’ s waste classification is much more complex than Hong Kong ’ s. It is divided into general waste, large waste and kitchen waste. newspaper and cardboard separately), etc.
For large garbage, such as mattresses and other items that cannot be placed in garbage bags, you need to purchase a sticker of about 300 yen (about HK $15.5) at a convenience store and paste it on the garbage that needs to be disposed of.
Other cities have the same treatment, but the amount may vary.
Oki-Family, a Hong Kong resident family in Okinawa, shared with reporters the complicated garbage sorting situation in Japan. (Provided by respondents)
Since most places implement self-paid waste levies, sorting and recycling has long been a “compulsory lesson ” for Japanese residents.
Every night, after dinner, their family will take the garbage outside the back door of the home, where a can be put on the garbage can; they also placed a large plastic box there to store the recycling garbage, such as fork batteries, glass bottles, soda cans, plastic bottles, etc., stored enough will be taken out.
On Tuesdays and Fridays, combustible waste is collected, soda cans are collected on Wednesdays, glass bottles and newspapers are collected on Saturdays.
Although the combustible waste contained in kitchen waste is collected only twice a week, there are few cases in the area where it stinks and affects environmental hygiene. “There are scents on the garbage cans in Japan that can suppress the smell, and I did try to have a slight effect, ” Leung explained.
And my own method is to put it outside the back door, because the position has been blowing for a long time, and it is almost impossible to smell without opening the lid. "
Over 70 years of off-the-shelf garbage sorting
In the 1950s, Japan entered a period of rapid economic growth, people's living standards have been significantly improved, and the amount of garbage has also increased sharply, and the phenomenon of littering can be seen everywhere, and environmental problems have become severe.
Later, the Japanese government took advantage of the opportunity of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games to launch a "capital beautification campaign" to awaken the people's awareness of environmental protection.
However, in the 1970s, local citizens protested the landfill site selection, and began to take actions to stop garbage trucks, and the protest lasted for eight years.
Until the 1980s, Japan began to carry out simple garbage sorting, and after decades of development, garbage sorting has become a standardized, systematic way of life.
As for the garbage levy scheme, Japan was introduced in the 1970s. In 2019, a total of 1,094 garbage charges were implemented in 1,741 cities, towns and villages across the country, with an implementation rate of 62.8%; among them, the urban rate was lower, only 56.2%.
However, Japan's domestic waste recycling is basically the responsibility of local governments, so different cities in the waste separation and treatment charges are not the same.
For example, in order to reduce and recycle the amount of garbage increasing year by year, local garbage is divided into five categories: "combustible garbage", "non-combustible garbage", "hazardous garbage", "resource garbage" and "large garbage". The first four categories have designated garbage bags, and large garbage has related "treatment coupons", which can be purchased at general convenience stores.
All kinds of paper (newspapers, magazines, cardboard, milk cartons) need to be tied into a cross shape with a paper rope.
All refuse should be disposed of by members of the public before 8.30 am on a specified date.
If the Government wants the public to follow suit, the most important thing is to make things convenient for them, and everything should be convenient.
Oki-Family
Japan ’ s waste classification was first seen in the 1980s, and has developed over the decades to form a standardized and systematic way of life.
(Getty)
Fear of animals, care for neighbors, and...?
When she first arrived in Guijing, Liang Sheng said that she had long known that Japan had a policy of collecting and sorting garbage, so she was prepared psychologically.
When they first moved to Hong Kong to report to the local government department, they had received a relevant garbage instruction notice, "The average family will stick it in a prominent place, such as a refrigerator door or next to it, which is convenient to check when handling garbage daily."
After doing more, you will remember that you don ’ t have to look at it every time.
They added that the circular will also clearly state the arrangements for zoning, public holidays, special weather, special items, etc., which are basically very clear, and you can consult friends and neighbors if you do not understand.
They said that the charts provided by the authorities are detailed and clear, and it is not really difficult to follow them. "But the pictures may indicate that it is a certain type of garbage, but the details may indicate that some special circumstances will not be recycled."
The careful classification of this aspect, we still feel very troublesome at first. "
On the other hand, due to the different living environment and culture in Japan, there are other additional concerns about daily garbage disposal.
They remember the first time they dropped garbage out of the street, they heard friends say not to fall out of the street the night before, because there may be stray cats, crows and other garbage, there may be a chance to dirty the environment.
There is also garbage can not be taken out too early to remove, otherwise it may be scolded by neighbors. Liang Sheng Liang Tai admitted: "So in Japan, we have to be afraid of animals, we have to take care of our neighbors, and whether the garbage truck can finally be recycled after the garbage is sorted."
Japan is regarded as one of the most successful countries in the world in waste levying and recycling, winning in a zero-waste town. (Getty)
The best way to deal with batteries, soda cans and paper skins?
In addition, they also have to face the problem of garbage that can not be dropped.
They said: "The most troublesome is the battery, although some local appliance stores can recycle, but not all types, mainly the recycling of disposable batteries, but not the charging type.
In the end, they found information online, and learned that only a few electrical appliances stores in Naha can be recycled, but it is very inconvenient to drive to them, so they have been unable to abandon them for years, so they have to slowly store them at home and drive to a certain number of cars to deal with them.
What also makes them feel very annoying and very disturbing is the soda can and the paper skin. "In Hong Kong, these two kinds of waste are considered more valuable, and can be sold for a few pennies."
But in Japan, if you put a soda can in a plastic bag, they will not accept it, you have to buy a government-designated plastic bag.
They said: “The irony is that if you put it in a transparent plastic bag, there will be scavengers who will take it and sell it. ”
The Government will also appeal to households not to let waste pickers take them, as this is part of the income of waste collectors. "
Japanese newspapers and paper should be tied, even if only one piece, and tied with a paper rope, otherwise the workers will not recycle.
(Getty)
They continued: "From our point of view, why buy a plastic bag for garbage collectors, instead of having a plastic bag left in the home before, no more money to waste, and it is not better to help the environment and someone to recycle?"
"If the paper is put out, it will not be collected if it is not tied up, and if it is scattered, it will not be collected, but even if it is placed in a paper bag, they will say that it is not tied up."
Even if it is not a piece of paper, it will not be taken, and every time I hear it, it is very important. "
Keyword Success: Convenient
Although there are no penalties for garbage disposal in Japan, if garbage is not handled in accordance with the relevant guidelines, the relevant departments will not recycle the household's garbage and will indicate what is wrong on the household's garbage.
They said, "Not recycling is already a punishment, because you have to find a place to put this waste for another week."
However, they stressed, "Although the levies and recycling of local refuse may cause some inconvenience and trouble in daily life, environmental protection will be a blessing to the public if the Government is really able to do enough in handling waste from the environmental point of view."
After years of living in Japan, Oki-Family believes that the work of collecting and recycling waste is successful: “The most important thing is the education of the whole nation. They are supported by the government, businesses, and many large circles. ” Convenient."
Education is equally important, Mrs Leung added: “To make people feel that recycling from their urine is something they need to do and is part of their lives.
Naturally, more and more people will accept this. ” For example, their daughters will be taught classification from kindergarten, and simulation learning, teaching how to classify things, slowly making sorting garbage their instinct.
Liang Sheng-Liang of Oki-Family, a Japanese Hong Kong family, stressed that the policy focus is to enable every household to be hygienic when handling garbage, because the relevant garbage levy and recycling involve more than the purchase of plastic bags.
(courtesy of interviewees)
It's not about plastic bags. It's about hygiene.
On Hong Kong ’ s imminent introduction of a waste levy, Mrs Leung said: “The biggest resistance is that the Hong Kong government is too weak at present, and even if they do well or not, the public may not like it. ”
The second is the habit of the public, who stressed the need for the government to give the public a sufficient period of adaptation.
They cited Japan ’ s policy as an example. “The Japanese authorities generally give a relatively long period of adaptation, for example, we will later change to electronic signatures, and the government will give the public two years to get used to it. The transition period in Hong Kong may be relatively short in years. ”
Garbage levy is actually a big thing, including the promotion of education, the awareness of the public is very important, if they lack awareness, they will not follow suit.
But this is a work that takes a long time to do, and it is not possible to do it in a moment or three.
They believe that the Hong Kong government should provide some further information, such as tips, such as how to dispose of garbage at home will be more hygienic and save space, so that the public can understand the specific situation facing the actual operation.
In addition, it can also provide various types of garbage disposal equipment on the market, such as deodorants and scents that can be attached to garbage cans of various sizes.
Finally, they reiterate, “It ’ s important for every household to be hygienic when it comes to waste levies and recycling, which involves more than just buying plastic bags. ”
This may also be one of the reasons why many people are dissatisfied or worried about the proposed waste levy. "

South Korea has a highly effective waste management system, with over 50% recycling rate.

Title:

Content: Waste management in Hong Kong starts early and matures late. How can we catch up with Taiwan, Shanghai, Korea and the tail lights of the starry cars?
Author: 01 Weekly Report
Published: Updated:
Hong Kong's environmental protection policy has not made great progress. For many years, it seems that it has remained at the stage of "blue waste paper, yellow aluminum cans, coffee plastic bottles", and there is no plastic reduction policy.
Last year, the mainland stopped the import of waste paper, and Hong Kong recyclers also stopped collecting waste paper.
When the Government is faced with Members' questions on plastic reduction and countless initiatives by environmental groups, it is always in a state of "discussion" with the retail and restaurant industries, "under consideration", lest it harm the economic interests of the industry, and would rather harm the environmental benefits than see any actual action taken.
On July 1, 2019, the Shanghai Municipal Domestic Waste Management Ordinance was officially implemented.
At Haihong Bridge Station on the railway line, volunteers are promoting a little knowledge of garbage classification. (Visual China)
On the other hand, after years of vigorous promotion, waste management is well organized and highly efficient: South Korea ’ s waste management system is at the forefront of Asia, with Seoul being the most effective.
The local municipal authorities have the responsibility to collect, recycle and dispose of domestic and commercial solid waste. Waste management in Taiwan once lagged behind Hong Kong, but due to the early introduction of the waste levy policy by the Taiwan government, and then formulated a complex and effective waste management system, the situation in Singapore is gradually reversed. Shanghai launched the “Shanghai Municipal Domestic Waste Management Ordinance ” in 2019. The complicated measures have caused complaints from the public. Over time, the results can be said to be immediate after the people have familiarized themselves with the regulations.
Looking at the situation in these four Asian regions, it is not difficult to imagine why there is no systematic waste management in Hong Kong today, when we look back at Hong Kong's garbage collection practices, which rely entirely on the people's consciousness to separate and unsupervised waste.
For more details, please read the 285th issue of Hong Kong 01 (4 October 2021), “What should Hong Kong look for in Taiwan, Shanghai, Korea and Star? ”.
Click here to try our weekly newsletter for more in-depth coverage.
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The government plays a crucial role in promoting waste sorting and recycling, as seen in countries like Finland, Japan, and South Korea.

Education and awareness, as seen in countries like Japan and Finland, play a key role in promoting waste sorting and recycling habits from a young age.

The European Union aims to recycle 55% of municipal waste and 65% of packaging waste by 2025.

Title:

Content: Circular Economy : 18 EU Member States at risk of missing waste targets

Which countries are at risk of missing the 2025 targets for preparing for re-use and recycling of municipal and all packaging waste and the 2035 landfill target? The European Commission answered this question in a recently published early warning report. But first the good news. Nine Member States are on track to meet the 2025 targets: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Slovenia.

And just as a reminder, these are the targets set out in the Waste Framework Directive and the Directive on packaging and packaging waste we are talking about:

  • 55% recycling and preparing for reuse of municipal waste;
  • 65% recycling for total packaging waste;
  • and material-specific packaging waste recycling targets (75% for paper and cardboard, 70% for glass, 70% for ferrous metals packaging, 50% for aluminium, 50% for plastic and 25% for wood).

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Bad news for some countries

And now the bad news: 18 Member States are at serious risk of missing one or both of the 2025 targets.

Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Latvia, Portugal, Spain and Sweden are at risk of missing the municipal waste target.

Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia are at risk of missing both the municipal waste and the total packaging waste targets for 2025.

In addition, some countries continue to landfill most of their municipal waste and are likely to miss the 2035 landfill target. The Commission is making recommendations to these Member States, building on the ongoing financial and technical support provided to improve waste management performance. These recommendations cover a wide range of actions: reducing non-recyclable waste, increasing re-use, promoting separate collection, developing treatment capacity for sorting and recycling, improving governance, using economic instruments and raising awareness.

"Implementing waste reduction and recycling measures on the ground is key for our circular economy transition. Turning waste into resources helps us on the way to climate neutrality, increases the security of supply of energy and raw materials, and creates local jobs and innovation opportunities. The early warning report allows us, in close cooperation with the Member States, to detect shortcomings, take action ahead of the deadlines for meeting the targets, and share best practices in sound waste management," said Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Waste generation on the rise

On average, Europeans generate 530 kg of municipal waste per person per year (waste from households and similar waste from businesses). Although it is increasingly recycled and less landfilled, municipal waste (MSW) is still one of the most complex waste streams to manage. In the EU, about 50% of MSW is recycled or composted and 23% is landfilled. The amount of packaging waste generated is constantly increasing. Between 2013 and 2020, the amount of packaging waste generated in the EU will increase by 15% to almost 80 million tonnes. Around 64% of packaging waste is now recycled, although this varies by material. More than 75% of paper, cardboard and metal packaging is recycled, but less than 40% of plastic packaging - a problem in most EU countries, many of which are at risk of missing the material-specific target for plastic packaging waste recycling.

The early warning report allows us, in close cooperation with the Member States, to detect shortcomings, take action ahead of the deadlines for meeting the targets, and share best practices in sound waste management.
Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Significant differences between Member States

Looking at the report, one thing is clear: There are considerable differences in waste management performance across the EU. Some countries still have a long way to go to meet the targets agreed in EU legislation and further reforms are needed, in particular to ensure the treatment of biowaste, which accounts for a third of municipal waste, to ensure separate collection of waste - a prerequisite for recycling - and to improve data quality. However, most EU countries have introduced or are in the process of introducing waste reforms to improve recycling rates, some of which are expected to bear fruit in the coming years.

The results were also influenced by external factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced or stopped separate collection in some countries. The recent rise in energy prices is also having a negative impact on recycling activities.

The early warning report builds on the Environmental Implementation Review, which had already identified problems with the implementation of EU waste legislation. In particular, almost 2000 illegal or substandard landfills are still operating in the EU, representing a significant source of pollution and greenhouse gases and a missed opportunity for the recovery of secondary raw materials.

Some EU member states are on track to meet the targets, while others are at risk of missing them.

Taiwan and Singapore have implemented successful waste management systems, with Taiwan introducing a waste levy and Singapore achieving a 51.7% recycling rate in 2020.

Title:

Content: Hong Kong ’ s slow progress in environmental governance – why not look at the Greater Bay Area and the world?
Author: Liu Mengting
Published: Updated:
In 2005, the SAR Government proposed to develop a recycling economy, that is, to reduce the environmental burden by repairing, recycling and extending the service life of materials, to find a way out for recycling recyclable materials, and to promote the development of related industries and promote economic diversification.
However, more than a decade later, Hong Kong ’ s circular economy has not made much progress.
In this regard, some scholars suggest leveraging the advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
At the same time, Hong Kong ’ s waste management policy is not yet climate, and we must match the experience of “top students ” such as Korea, Taiwan and Singapore.
Circular Economy Enemies the Greater Bay Area
Professor Patrick Poon, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been developing a patented technology for converting waste glass into environmentally friendly bricks since the 1990s, with a view to improving the recycling efficiency of waste glass.
Green brick is a kind of concrete brick, can effectively use construction waste and waste glass, the third generation of green brick has been put into the market as paving brick.
For more than 20 years, the technology has been optimized by scholars to the fifth generation, but it is still “technology without market ”.
In an interview with "Hong Kong 01" recently, Poon mentioned the two main reasons why the development of the local green brick industry is hindered, which is also the dilemma faced by Hong Kong's circular economy.
Pan Chih-sheng says that the research on green bricks has been successful, but the price is not competitive. (photo by O'Cara)
One of the main reasons is that local manufacturing has caused the high enterprise products to lose market advantage. Poon analysis, because the whole production process of environmentally friendly bricks produced in Hong Kong is completed in Hong Kong, and the land price and labor in Hong Kong are very high, and the price has also risen with the water. It is necessary to open up the market to achieve maximum trade liberalization, so the possibility of contractors choosing Hong Kong materials for profit considerations is very low.
On the other hand, the Hong Kong government has not introduced relevant policies to require the actual use of environmentally friendly materials, in the absence of just the premise, the market share of environmentally friendly bricks is unstable, and the current use of the third generation of environmentally friendly bricks is about 20% more expensive than natural sand bricks, so the project side may not consider the use of environmentally friendly bricks.
Another major obstacle is that the government did not help. Pan Zhisheng pointed out that environmental protection bricks are made of recycled materials, although the quality and performance of the bricks are not lost to natural sand and stone, but the quality difference is greater.
However, according to the existing government regulations, the two are regarded as the same, that is, the quality of environmentally friendly materials is too high, but it may still be regarded as unqualified due to the degree of quality difference. This single regulation is a constraint for the application of environmentally friendly bricks. If the outlook does not improve, it will be more difficult to attract investors.
Under such a vicious cycle, the government has no intention to invest or give support, and the environmental protection brick industry chain has become a dead end.
The recycling rate of local waste in Hong Kong is low, and exports are facing many restrictions.
In an interview with Hong Kong 01, Wong Woon-chung, director of the Johan Centre for Applied Forestry Research in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), Hong Kong Baptist University, pointed out that the land resources in Hong Kong are tight, such as the opening of a recycling plant for recycled materials will double the cost.
Mr Wong stressed that the circular economy requires complementary advantages from different regions. There is no way out if the development vision is limited to Hong Kong. (photo by Mr Cheng Tze-feng)
Waste management in Hong Kong is inefficient and should be seen around the world
South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan implemented waste levies in 1995, 1996 and 2000 respectively. Since then, they have gradually developed comprehensive and mature environmental policies with local characteristics.
Hong Kong's waste management system has been fragmented for many years, and it is time to look at the world and learn from advanced experience and thinking.
Hong Kong ’ s waste management policy has not been good for many years, and the climate should be on par with other regions. (Photo by Tsai Cheng-pong)
Korea has introduced waste utilization measures in a multi-pronged manner to achieve long-term management, so the Korean waste management system is at the forefront of Asia.
For example, the city of Seoul, which has achieved the most remarkable results, introduced a series of supporting measures in a few years to change the entire waste treatment model, public perception of waste and living habits after the implementation of the garbage levy system in 1995.
In contrast, the Hong Kong Government is always "discussing" with the industry and "considering" the initiatives of environmental protection groups.
Taiwan is also a leader in waste management in Asia.
The Taiwan government sent a special cleaning team to collect household waste from residents using two types of recycling trucks – yellow garbage trucks are used to collect general waste from residents using official garbage bags, and white garbage trucks are used to collect raw and cooked food waste, plastic and other recyclable resources.
As early as 1997, the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency launched the "Resource Recovery 4-in-1 Program", which fully mobilized the role of the government, manufacturers, consumers and licensed recycling enterprises in waste management, not only to skillfully distribute the financial costs, but also to reflect the principle of impartiality.
Singapore has a small population, similar to Hong Kong, but the waste recycling work is more professional and centralized.
In Singapore, three waste management enterprises are licensed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to provide waste collection and recycling services to residents in different parts of the country. The waste is meticulously classified into paper, plastic, glass and metal, and the garden waste is collected separately.
In the recycling process, incineration plants reduce the volume of waste by 90%, and then use 3% of non-incineration and non-recyclable waste to landfill to reduce the environmental burden.
According to statistics, Singapore ’ s solid waste recycling rate reached 51.7% in 2020, a model that Hong Kong can learn from.
As for the administrative efficiency of the Mainland, it is also worth reflecting on the Hong Kong government. In July 2019, Shanghai implemented what has been described as the “world ’ s most stringent ” waste separation measure.
First of all, its domestic waste is strictly divided into four categories, namely recyclables, hazardous waste, wet waste and dry waste; secondly, if individuals or units do not dispose of garbage in accordance with the classification, they will be punished with severe high fines.
Under the mandatory implementation of the government, Shanghai residents have achieved good environmental protection results after experiencing "pain".
The Garbage Levy Ordinance has already been introduced, but the Government must not be complacent about it, but must think about how to tie in with the Ordinance in the next step, and adopt a systematic and comprehensive thinking to achieve long-term waste management.
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Technology, like robotic waste sorting systems, is improving waste sorting and recycling efficiency.

Title:

Content: Robotic Waste Sorting Market Size to Achieve Stunning USD 3.4 Billion Revenue by 2034, Powered by 3.8% CAGR| Transparency Market Research Inc.

The rise in the need for efficiency and accuracy in waste sorting, coupled with the increased application of robotic arms in waste management facilities, is significantly boosting the value of the robotic waste sorting market.

Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Transparency Market Research, Inc. , July 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global robotic waste sorting market (Markt für Roboter-Abfallsortierung ) stood at US$ 2.3 billion in 2023, and the global market is projected to reach US$ 3.4 billion in 2034. The robotic waste sorting market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 3.8% between 2024 and 2034.

The robotic waste sorting market is experiencing significant growth driven by the increasing demand for efficiency and accuracy in waste management processes. As urbanization and population growth lead to higher volumes of waste, there is a growing need for advanced technologies to handle and process waste more effectively. Robotic waste sorting systems are emerging as a key solution to address these challenges by improving sorting precision and operational efficiency.

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One of the primary factors driving the market is the need for enhanced efficiency in waste sorting. Traditional manual sorting methods are labor-intensive and often prone to errors, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs. Robotic systems, equipped with advanced technologies, offer a more efficient alternative by automating the sorting process. This not only speeds up operations but also reduces the reliance on human labor, minimizing the risk of injury and ensuring consistent performance.

The application of robotic arms in waste management facilities has become increasingly prevalent. These robotic arms, integrated with sophisticated sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), are capable of handling a wide variety of waste materials, including plastics, metals, and paper. The use of these robotic systems allows for accurate sorting and separation of materials, which is crucial for recycling and waste reduction efforts.

Autonomous waste sorting systems are at the forefront of this market. These systems employ computer vision and deep machine learning algorithms to detect and classify different types of waste materials. Computer vision systems capture images of waste items, while deep learning models analyze these images to identify and sort materials with high precision. This technology not only enhances sorting accuracy but also adapts to evolving waste streams and varying material types.

Robotic Waste Sorting Market: Key Players

  • ABB
  • AMP
  • Bollegraaf
  • CleanRobotics
  • EverestLabs Inc.
  • General Kinematics Corporation
  • Greyparrot
  • Machinex Industries Inc.
  • NIHOT
  • Pellenc ST
  • Recycleye
  • TOMRA Systems ASA
  • Waste Robotics Inc.
  • Zen Robotics Oy

Robotic Waste Sorting Market: Key Developments

  • In 2023, General Kinematics Corporation introduced an advanced robotic sorting system featuring improved sensor technology and AI integration. This system enhances the precision of waste separation by using high-resolution sensors and machine learning algorithms to better identify and sort different types of recyclable materials, leading to increased efficiency and accuracy in recycling facilities.
  • In 2023, Greyparrot launched a new AI-powered waste sorting solution that leverages deep learning and computer vision to optimize waste processing. This system provides real-time data analytics and automated sorting capabilities, allowing waste management facilities to better track and categorize materials, improve recycling rates, and reduce contamination in the waste stream.

Key Takeaways of Market Report

  • Global robotic waste sorting market to generate absolute dollar opportunity worth US$ 8.9 billion until 2034.
  • Global robotic waste sorting market is valued at US$ 5.6 billion in 2023.
  • Asia Pacific is forecasted to hold the largest share in 2023.

Robotic Waste Sorting Market: Growth Drivers

  • Robotic waste sorting represents an innovative approach that enhances recycling facilities by integrating advanced technologies. Robots equipped with sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and sophisticated robotic arms are capable of recognizing, selecting, and sorting various elements within the waste stream. These technologies enable precise identification and separation of different waste materials, improving recycling efficiency and accuracy.
  • Advanced robotic arms autonomously manage waste sorting processes. They first determine the category of each waste item and then pick it accordingly. After sorting, the robotic arms place the waste in its designated location.
  • This automation streamlines the sorting process, reduces manual labor, and ensures efficient handling of diverse waste materials, contributing to more effective waste management and recycling operations.

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Robotic Waste Sorting Market: Regional Landscape

  • In 2023, Europe held the largest share of the global robotic waste sorting market. A key factor driving this dominance is the increasing scarcity of labor willing to work in hazardous and physically demanding environments, such as waste sorting facilities. The adoption of robotic systems in these facilities helps address labor shortages by automating the sorting process, improving efficiency, and ensuring safer working conditions.
  • Asia Pacific also experienced notable market growth in 2023. The surge in urbanization and the rising use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), in waste management facilities are major contributors to this progress. These technologies enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of robotic waste sorting systems, driving market expansion in the region as cities seek innovative solutions to manage growing waste volumes.

Robotic Waste Sorting Market: Segmentation

Offering

  • Hardware
  • Robotic Arm
  • Gripper
  • AI-vision System
  • Conveyor System
  • Others
  • Software
  • Solution

Sorting Material

  • Plastic Waste
  • Paper Waste
  • Metal Waste
  • Food Waste
  • E-waste

Application

  • Waste Recovery
  • Waste Recycling

End User

  • Residential
  • Municipal
  • Commercial
  • Industrial

Region

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa

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Implementing effective waste sorting and recycling systems can create jobs, generate economic value, and reduce environmental impacts.

Title:

Content: Sunday 04 June 2023
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
Abdurrahim Ali
Editor-in-Chief
Dalia Abdul Rahim
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editorial Board
Abdurrahim Ali
Editor-in-Chief
Dalia Abdul Rahim
NEWS
Egypt ranks 14th in the world and first in the Arab world in terms of recycling rates in 2023
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The Information and Decision Support Center of the Council of Ministers issued a new report entitled "Recycling...
The report highlighted the definition of the recycling process, its key stages, and its economic feasibility, as well as the facts and figures related to the recycling process at the level of Egypt and the world, and the opportunities available to promote recycling within the framework of achieving sustainable development, and the challenges facing it.
The report pointed out that recycling is the process of reprocessing waste, turning it into new products or materials, whether for original or other purposes, and thus the process of collecting and processing materials that were supposed to be disposed of as garbage, and turning them into new products, benefiting society, the economy and the environment. Waste is collected, processed or reprocessed into new products, and the purchase of those products that can be recycled again. Reused materials in the recycling process act as substitutes for raw materials obtained from relatively scarce natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas, coal, minerals, and trees.
In addition, there are two types of recycling: internal recycling, in which the techniques generated by a particular industry are reused and recycled to be used as a new input in the same industry, which is common in the metal industry, for example, the manufacture of copper pipes produces a certain amount of waste that is smelted and reconstituted, and external recycling where materials are reprocessed from a corrosive or obsolete product such as recycling old newspapers into new paper products.
The report stated that the importance of recycling is not only limited to achieving environmental sustainability, but also stands out in achieving economic sustainability as well, and the recycling process has a number of economic benefits, which are:
- Reduce the cost of waste disposal and support the economy and the environment: Recycling contributes to reduce the volume of waste and then save the necessary funds for landfill or incineration and allocate these funds to other projects, and the recycling of food waste and green waste reduces pollution from burning waste, as well as many fertilizers that enhance food security.
It is estimated that burning 10,000 tons of waste provides one job, burying the same amount leads to six jobs, while recycling the same amount creates 36 jobs, and it is also estimated that increasing current recycling rates by 75% will create approximately 3.2 million jobs by 2030.
- Encouraging small enterprises, where recycling creates unlimited opportunities for small industries and enterprises that rely on solid waste sorting outputs from plastic, glass, paper, cloth and other recyclable materials.
- Saving energy and reducing the total costs of production. For example, recycling aluminum cans saves about 95% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum from raw materials, and recycling glass saves about 50% of the energy needed to manufacture glass from raw materials. The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle is enough to light a light bulb. With a capacity of one watt for four hours, which reduces air pollution by 20% and water pollution by 50%, the paper recycling process saves about 60% of the energy needed to make it from raw materials, and the recycling of one ton of paper saves the equivalent of 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water.
Food waste is the largest category of waste, accounting for about 40% of food produced, food waste contributes to about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and dry recyclable materials (plastic, paper, cardboard, metals and glass) account for 38% of total global waste. The report added that plastic bottles need more than 450 years to decompose, and the rate of recycling of bottles in the world in 2020 is about 27.2%, and only 19% of the waste globally is recycled and composted. Asia accounts for more than 50% of global production of recycled aluminum.
Regarding the facts and figures of recycling in Egypt, the report pointed out that Egypt ranked first in the Arab world with 26.6 degrees and 42 globally out of 180 countries in the environmental performance index in terms of recycling for 2022, where it witnessed an improvement over the previous 10 years by 3.8 degrees, and Egypt ranked 14th globally and first in the Arab world in terms of recycling rates for 2023.
More than half of Cairo ’ s waste is collected by the informal sector, which consists of 50,000 waste processors, 150,000 waste collectors, sorters, traders and truck drivers, and about 80% of Cairo ’ s waste is recycled, including 290,000 tons of plastic annually.
The report pointed out that there are opportunities and challenges to achieve sustainable development in this area, where opportunities to enhance recycling operations indicate that recycling contributes significantly to the achievement of sustainable development goals, especially with regard to climate action and environmental conservation, and ensures the conservation of natural resources, through the recovery of existing components and products instead of turning them into waste. Ecosystems: Recycling non-renewable materials reduces environmental pollution, protects natural ecosystems, and provides opportunities to convert entire landfills into green gardens, promoting green transformation, as well as protecting the oceans from pollution, as the oceans are important for producing oxygen (about half of the oxygen we breathe), absorbing heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as well as the dangers posed by heat accumulation in the oceans. Recycling helps reduce the incineration of waste that emits large amounts of gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur and nitrogen. Recycling contributes to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases that cause climate change, as well as improving the quality of life, with many people around the world lacking access to controlled waste collection services or waste disposal facilities. New solid waste management practices through recycling or safe disposal become an essential component of sustainable city management and improved quality of life.
Despite the opportunities of recycling to achieve sustainable development and preserve the environment and natural resources, the expansion of these processes faces many challenges, including the lack of awareness and culture about recycling, where many people lack the necessary culture and information to recycle, despite knowing the positive returns and importance of the environment, as well as ensuring the occupational safety of workers. Some companies or individuals believe that buying recycled products is the same as buying used products but at a full price and sometimes the price of recycled materials is higher than new materials, as well as the need for modern infrastructure and technologies. which needs to be recycled.
The Information and Decision Support Center stressed in its report that Egypt has promising opportunities in the field of recycling, especially in light of the support of the political leadership, legislation and strategies for environmental action, increasing awareness and participation by the private sector and civil society, providing incentives and funding for environmental projects, as well as the establishment of many waste recycling plants.
In addition, Egypt has promising opportunities to inject more investments in the recycling and waste treatment sector, where the total waste produced by Egypt annually is about 90 million tons, and the total volume of recyclable materials is 24.3%, which provides investment opportunities in the field of waste recycling, ensuring economic benefit as well as commitment to environmental responsibility.

Countries like Finland, Japan, and South Korea have demonstrated successful waste sorting and recycling systems with significant economic benefits.