Recycling Center

24 October 2020

Today, I made my maiden visit to a recycling center. In Swedish, this is återvinningscentral. Sweden's recycling system is one of the advanced ones in the world. It is cultivated in a kid's upbringing to recycle. So, it becomes natural to them and as adults, they are aware of what items are recycled or incarcinerated. I am amazed, impressed and I hope that this can be emulated to many countries. Is it possible? 

In each neighbourhood, the common recycling bins are available within walking distance. Printed materials, packaging, plastic, metal and glass. Now, for items such as electronics, ceramic, huge plastic items, bicycles, prams, chemicals or anything that cannot be recycled in the recycling bins, one brings them to the recycling center. The recycling center is managed by the municipal. One is expected to drive here considering the bulky items a person is recycling. There are probably buses available but one has to walk to the center. It would be difficult to carry these items in a bus, though. There are designated parking spaces for vechicles that have recyclable items. For vehicles that carry nothing, they have to park at another spot. 

The chemical waste is the first container one sees. Chemical waste such as paint, medicine or anything that is poisonous to the environment and human. Next, one drives to the next containers to dispose other non-chemical items. Here, there are 6 categories - metal / scrap (for e.g. bicycle, pram, iron), wood, landfill (for e.g. plastic), combustible and another category which I do not remember. Examples of items that fall under the respective categories are stated on the signboard. Or one can ask the staff that is patrolling the area. The staffs ensure the items are recycled in the right containers. There are even separate containers to recycle lightbulbs and batteries.