Which Countries Recycle The Most?

Recycling has become more prevalent around the world in recent decades. While there are some countries that really take recycling to a new level, and below are some examples.

Iceland

Few countries can match Iceland, regarding its renewable energy use in percentage terms. No less than 85% of the island’s energy is supplied by renewables, such as hydropower and geothermal energy.

Sweden

Sweden has recently been said to be the most sustainable nation on Earth, thanks in no small part to its strong emphasis on renewable energy. As an example, a quarter of a million homes in Sweden rely on an unusual renewable energy source – garbage. This is then used to provide electricity and heat. Sweden has also laid down laws that ensure that carbon dioxide emissions are strongly controlled.

Belgium

Cars are heavily recycled in Belgium, and over 90% of scrap cars in the country are recycled. While even raw materials are taken from the shredder waste left over. Belgium is also one of the leading countries in Europe for recycling municipal waste.

Spain

Spain is committed to a policy of both renewable and low-carbon energy. Around 20% of the country’s energy comes via renewable sources, including wind.

Switzerland

For the last few years Switzerland has been the greenest nation on the planet. Recycling is encouraged, and paying for garbage to be disposed can be expensive. There are also no landfills in Switzerland, so material that can’t be recycled is, where possible, burnt instead.

Japan

From big business to individuals Japan encourages its citizens to recycle through its Home Appliance Law. This involves paying towards recycling any home appliance that is no longer of use.

Canada

Tyres are recycled in Canada, and are used in inventive ways to resurface roads and as surfaces in school playgrounds. Even cigarette butts are recycled.

Austria

Austria was the top recycler of municipal waste in Europe in 2010. The figure then was an impressive 63%.

Germany

Recycling is always free in Germany, though there is a price to pay to have garbage taken away. Germany also recycles more of its municipal waste than most other European countries.

Italy

Authorities in Italy hand out stiff penalties to anyone who doesn’t sort out their items for recycling properly. If this happens when a recycling bin is 500 metres from a person’s home, then the resultant fine can be hundreds of euros.