How the Dutch recycle, what we can learn

The Netherlands: great at rubbish

The Netherlands has one of the highest recycling rates in the EU. In 2007, it recycled 6.6 million tonnes of its total 10.2 million tonnes of waste.

   

The EU recycles around 95 million tonnes of waste each year. The Netherlands recycle over 50% of household waste, while in England only 23% of domestic waste is currently being recycled.

   

Waste recycled in the EU reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 158 million tonnes

But the Dutch decision to recycle waste was not motivated by reducing CO2 emissions. With 26% of its geographical area below sea level, land is at a premium in the Netherlands. From the 1980s, the Dutch government decided that landfill sites were a waste of precious space.

   

The Netherlands puts only 146,750 tonnes of waste into landfill sites, while the UK tips 22.5 million tonnes into landfill.

   

How the Dutch do it

The Netherlands achieves such high levels of “waste recovery” by adopting the principles of Lansink's Ladder. Named after the Dutch MP who proposed it, there are seven “rungs” on the ladder, and these principles have inspired initiatives that are being applied across Europe.

For example, requiring local authorities to arrange separate collection of kitchen and garden waste from households, and encouraging recycling by offering refundable deposits.”

   

What about the broader environmental issues?

The Netherlands has paved the way on landfill bans for household waste, which the UK is considering. Some councils are also looking at “pay as you throw” initiatives, where householders will be charged for using a landfill bin.


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