With global warming and climate change, recycling is an increasingly important theme. Waste management plans allow countries to recycle materials for reuse, which means they don’t have to rely too much on raw materials. Recycling waste instead of putting it in landfills also reduces greenhouse gas production. Through the use and introduction of effective recycling programs, waste in the local environment and communities has been reduced, and the total amount of waste generated has also been reduced. Here, let’s take a look at 10 different countries that are leading the way in recycling and waste management.

The city of Curitiba, Brazil is famous for its recycling program. More than 70% of waste is recycled. The plan is not more expensive than using a landfill and provides work for the community. The recycling program also helps people from lower communities to give tokens when the waste is transported to the center, which can then be exchanged for transportation and food. Garbage is not only recycled but also reused, and old buses are transformed into mobile schools. 

Austria has one of the highest recycling rates in the world. 96% of Austria's population classifies their waste as recyclable. Each family sorts an average of one million tons of garbage each year. Since the beginning of 2020, the country has banned the use of plastic bags. 

Recycling in Vancouver is very important. Food waste is prohibited in standard waste bins, and these wastes must be placed in green compost bins. This is good for the country because when food is properly handled, it releases less carbon dioxide than landfills. 

Wales recycles approximately 65% ​​of its waste, and they achieve this through the use of its parliament and citizens. Of the 22 councils, 17 are classified by residents, and the remaining areas are classified by councils. By 2025, Wales plans to recycle 70% of its waste and hopes to treat the remaining 30% in waste plants. The country recycles paper, glass, cards, metal and plastic cans, bathtubs and trays. The recycling program is in a leading position in the UK. 

San Francisco's recycling program has 3 different categories: composting, recycling, and landfill. Compost contains: food scraps, paper and garden decorations. Recycling includes: paper, cards, glass, aluminum, hard plastic and plastic bags. There are not many wastes that fall into the landfill category, including broken glass, cat litter, and ceramics. The state plans to reduce the use of landfills to zero by 2030. 

In Zurich, Switzerland, there are approximately 12,000 different collection points. Recycling is carried out through door-to-door collection or at the recycling collection point. Recycling in Switzerland is mandatory, otherwise it may result in fines. 50% of the waste is recycled and the remaining waste is used to produce energy. Any waste generated in cities or villages will not enter the landfill, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Singapore has the lowest utilization rate of landfills in the world. Companies in this country are fully responsible for the waste they produce and how they are treated. The waste is collected on designated trucks and then transported to the center, where it is sorted into different recycling streams. There is only one landfill in the country, which is mainly used for non-recyclable plastics, and the remaining non-recyclable waste is incinerated.  

The food recycling rate in Korea was 2% in 1995, and it has now risen to an astonishing 95%. The country can reduce food waste by charging food waste fees, and households pay a small monthly fee for each bag of biodegradable food waste. All waste must be classified into specific categories and must be flattened or compressed before recycling. Almost everything can be recycled in Korea, such as: steel, fabrics, televisions, sofas, and Styrofoam.

Leeds in the United Kingdom has a large recycling program called "Leeds Zero Waste". Zero Waste Leeds not only recycles a wide range of waste, but also reuses unwanted items and creates recycling articles and tips. Last year, Leeds produced 12,000 tons of glass waste, and this year there are now 700 bottle warehouses in the area. There is also a project where the public can donate unnecessary school uniforms and sports suits and then distribute them to families and children in need. This will not only help the local community, but also reduce textile waste. 

Germany is a leader in waste management and recycling. With the introduction of the recycling program, the country is able to reduce the total waste volume by 1 million tons per year. Germany recycles 70% of all waste generated, which is the most in the world. The country has achieved this goal through its waste policy. Companies are responsible for whether their packaging is recyclable, and when consumers buy goods, they are responsible for disposing of them. In addition to these policies, the country also involves a green dot policy, which means that all recycled packaging must be marked and approval is required to use the mark. When more packaging is used, the company must also pay, which not only leads to less packaging, but also thinner glass, paper, and metal. There are 5 different trash bins for distinguishing waste and garbage.