Sweden is a country who has been recycling for a long time. Ever since I remember recycling equipment has been available in all apartments to make it easy for the tenants. Sweden started waste sorting of papers, glas,cardboard and other products already in the 80s. In the 90s came a law about production responsibility, which means that the factory and production companies became responsible for taking care of their own packaging which they produce. But this was not the end, in year 2002 there was a new law passed, in which all the households in Sweden were responsible for sorting the waste. The main responsibility was delegated to the municipalities to make a managment for that in the house areas.
When I was a kid, I remember we used to wait to get a bag full of cans and bottles. My parents gave us these cans and bottles to go and recycle at the grossery shop, which gave us some small pennies. All the change we got from these bottles we could keep it for ourselves and from that we use to buy lots of candy. It was the highlight of the weekends and if we had a party at home it was even more of a party for us. I think it's a great way to teach and encourage kids to recycle in a fun way.
When my children were growing up, we showed them how to sort things and trash so that it could be recycled. In Sweden the children learn how to sort trash, for example not to mix paper, food, plastic and cartons as you must be able to recycle these. When my kids were little we used to do this as a game, to sort and then go down to the waste sorting room and put the right trash in the right bin, so it has come naturally to my children. For me it is very important that as a citizen I take responsibility for the environment as much as I can. Through small changes you can contribute to a better climate.
This year when we had elections and a new government was built. I read that some small improvements will be introduced in the country such as recycling. The main aim is to sort out food waste from other trash so it can be recycled into biogas. The Swedish government doesn't force you to do things but they request you to support this act, me and my kids were already prepared yo start supporting it.
Today when I came home from work there was a paper bag hanging on the door. It was a gift from the municipality.
There were paper bags, a sink cleaner, a holder and a key to the waste container where you could throw all the food waste.
A welcome letter and instuctions how to start, it says "your waste becomes biogas"
I liked the way they gave you all the necessary things to start this environmentally friendly act. Even the kids were excited and we all read the instructions and made a place under the sink where we could put this special bin with the special paper bags.
As a big family with two adults and 3 kids we do have a lot of food waste which we can now recycle. To be able to reuse all the food which we normally throw in the garbage, can now be recycled into biogas which is fantastic. Now we all can contribute to a better enviroment.
