The total amount of waste that is recycled has increased more than fourfold over the last decade, reaching 2.4 million tonnes last year, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said yesterday, adding that this amount was expected to increase.
“We are one of the leading countries for recycling and reusing waste. We must keep these environmental habits in mind even as our society improves,” said EPA Deputy Minister Chang Tzi-chin (張子敬) at an awards ceremony for those who promote sound environmental practices.
The results were first achieved though public education that emphasized the benefits of properly sorting waste and then through trust funds set up by polluters to manage recycling projects, he said.
Statistics from the agency show that per capita daily waste dropped from 1.1kg in 1997 to 0.5kg last year. EPA officials said that the substantial reductions in waste have also helped fulfill the government’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions.
“Recycling, reusing and reducing waste is also an important part of combating global warming as it helps cut greenhouse gas emissions,” Chang said.
Lin Chien-hui (林建輝), a senior official at the EPA’s Recycling Fund Management Board, said this trend was likely to continue as recycling rates for residential waste haven’t yet caught up with rates from businesses and corporations.
The total recycling rate for all waste is more than 50 percent nationwide, however residential rates are still at 42 percent, Lin said.
He said that a reason for this is that businesses produce more waste that can be effectively reused.
The EPA will focus on continuing to improve awareness of recycling for both the public and communities, Lin said.
In comparison, recycling rates in the US are estimated at 33.2 percent by its Environmental Protection Agency, while statistics from the UK pointed to an estimate of 34.5 percent last year.
While Lin acknowledged that the nation was a leader in waste recycling, he said: “Our overall goal is for a 100 percent, waste-free environment — starting from product packaging, design and manufacturing to the end consumer.”
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