I have been concerned about climate change and the human race wasting the resources of the planet for years. Every time it seemed the world community was finally going to do the right thing and change the carbon footprint of the human race, the tide would turn to larger SUV's, more travel in fuel guzzling cars and planes, etc. It looked as if the people of the world would never realize true climate awareness.
Recently, I was bopping around on social media, when I commented on a post about climate change, what to do with plastic bottles and what humans can do as a whole to change the trajectory of our planet.
Used or outdated medication is taken to the pharmacist, so it does not end up in the sewage or in the environment.
Recently, I was bopping around on social media, when I commented on a post about climate change, what to do with plastic bottles and what humans can do as a whole to change the trajectory of our planet.
- Article: With appallingly low recycling rates, some Britons want a deposit return scheme implemented, while others say it would never work. But what if this whole debate misses the point?
She mentioned Dutch environmentalist would still like to see so called "statiegeld," their word for return fees, on cans and plastic bottles implemented. Many are thrown away on streets and in nature reserves far too often.
Yet, in Norway they separate everything and then recycle glass, clothes paper and combustibles. There are no landfills. Apparently it is the same in Germany and Scandinavian countries. Again, I was intrigued. Why can't we do this in all countries?
In Norway, used paper is so prevalent that it is sold to China to produce recycled paper products and cardboard, etc; used to export their products. Plastics and metals are recycled into new products.
Old refrigerators, washing machines and other appliances go to special facilities where they are dismantled for their components. They are not allowed to throw away any appliance, phone or batteries. It must be recycled.
Collecting systems and stations are in place throughout the country. Larger appliances will be traded in by the shops that deliver new appliances.
Norway provides special bins (shown below) in every neighborhood, usually near shops, community centers etc. for different items such as paper, glass; with separate shoots for white, green or brown glass.
Used cooking oil is also recycled for bio-fuel, as well as small appliances and clothes.
Every household has three bins.
- One for the trash that does not belong in any category, which still gets sorted at the garbage disposal facilities before it goes to the incinerator.
- One for plastics and metal and Tetra packs.
- One for combustibles.
Later this year they will have four bins, with the addition of a paper bin. The paper is currently collected once a month, but on a rainy day it gets wet. Wetness degrades the quality of the paper and it weighs much more. They are hoping adding a paper bin will alleviate this issue.
RECYCLING BINS
- Blue: paper and cardboard
- Yellow: plastic and metal
- Green: compostables
- Grey: Everything else. For instance used pens, small sandwich bag, hoover dust bag, etc.
Some areas in larger cities with small apartments will adopt an underground container system on each block. (below)
- Clothes
- Glass: Three openings to separate white, green, brown glass
- Small appliances
- Used cooking oil
- Paint and other toxic substances etc.
- Paper: Some areas will choose to include paper
The system is meant to be intricate. More than 85% of the citizens comply with the system. But even if they fail to do their part, all trash is sorted before incineration. Therefore, most reusable materials are salvaged.
What is not usable or salvageable is still used to generate electricity in the incinerators. Yes, the incinerators produce electricity! The incinerators are made to be environmentally friendly, with multiple filters to keep harmful smoke and particles from escaping into the atmosphere. The waste is incinerated at high temperatures where almost nothing remains.
The garbage collecting trucks all run on bio-diesel, which is the cooking oil, etc. collected from citizens. Thus, completing the recycling, reusable circle.
Used or outdated medication is taken to the pharmacist, so it does not end up in the sewage or in the environment.
Plastic bags are prohibited. Everyone uses small bags, nets, mason jars, boxes etc. to put loose fruit and vegetables, cheese and nuts in. Many bake their own bread, which is stored in a linen bag.
Milk is purchased at an organic farmer nearby. My friend said she has a special enamel reusable container to transport her milk in, to cut down on waste. The lid fits tightly, so no spillage, even if it is transported by bicycle.
My friend also makes her own yogurt in seperate pots, and bakes her own bread at home, making her waste footprint quite a bit lower than the normal citizen.
Also, this is quite refreshing to learn, the vast majority of Dutch people will go shopping, to work or to school by bike! Most bikes have bags and baskets to put their shopping, etc. in. Biking is so prevalent, they have bike traffic jams. And notice that everyone looks healthy and in shape. (Watch below)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0lvE5GYmh8&app=desktop
I asked about their plumbing and how popular grey water systems are. Grey water systems are becoming more popular, but not the norm at the moment. Toilets with low flow water to conserve have been popular for over 30 years. Water saving low flow shower heads are used in every house. Most homes, including more expensive homes, have one bathroom with no bathtub, but only a shower. Their toilet is in a separate room. The very rich do have more rooms and bathrooms, etc; but most people try to conserve.
And if that isn't enough to admire this country for what they are doing to fight climate change, Norway has officially decided to make all homes energy neutral by 2020.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09654313.2011.638492?scroll=top&needAccess=true&journalCode=ceps20
Along with banning all petrol/gas for cars by 2025.
http://insideevs.com/netherlands-moves-to-allow-only-all-evs-by-2025-no-more-gas-diesel-sales/
More than half the homes in the Netherlands are rentals. Most are excellent quality public housing. My friend lives in a 1759 barn conversion rental thatched farm house. The windows are high efficiency double glazed throughout. The heating/air conditioning is a high efficiency eco brand. This year, the insulation will be improved under the floor and extra outer walls.
Next year, solar panels will be installed, with one solar panel delegated to heat the hot water for showers, the washing machine, etc. A low temperature radiator will be installed. All of this will make her home totally energy neutral! The best part? The rent will not go up!
Currently, she is using 1/3 of the energy (electricity and natural gas) that the previous single occupant was using. She purchases Windenergy and CO2 gas to compensate during low winds. Almost half the Dutch households only buy Windenergy and CO2.
This is a country committed to change and fighting climate change. And they are succeeding. Wildly! It only shows that we all could do the same. I am sure many around the world want to be part of the change. To have solar and wind energy that can power their homes for far less money and with a zero carbon footprint.
We need to stand up the corporations and countries who profit from oil, gas, etc. It is no longer about money and power. It is about the survival of our planet. We need to come together and push back against the naysayers. Let them know we are changing to renewable energy and recyclables in an effort to change the planet and save the world around us.
Publish information that can help people build their own systems and do the right thing for their communities. Vote to allow more solar, wind and renewable energy sources to grow and be built in your states and countries. It can be done. We can change the world for the better. Norway is a shining example of that. They are leading the world into a better tomorrow.
Images and credit: My Norwegian friend. :)
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