Classifying and processing garbage from the source helps to maximize the recycling and utilization of resources, solve the problem of garbage being trapped in the city, and promote sustainable development. So, how do different countries around the world do garbage classification?
Garbage is called 'misplaced resources'. How to put these resources back in place? Experience from various countries has shown that sorting and treating waste at the source can help maximize the recycling and utilization of resources, solve the problem of "garbage siege", and promote sustainable development.
United States: Classification brings transformation
When it comes to New York City in the United States, it is difficult for people to associate this highly attractive international metropolis with a garbage city with sewage and foul odors. In fact, before the end of the 19th century, New York was one of the dirtiest cities in the world. At that time, the streets of New York were littered with garbage, mosquitoes and flies danced around, and the pungent odor made many residents afraid to open their windows. Poor sanitation conditions became a breeding ground for various diseases.
It wasn't until the appearance of health engineer George Welling that New York saw hope. In 1895, as a street hygiene commander, Weilin created the first garbage collection and classification system in New York's history, proposing a series of regulations and specific measures for using food waste to produce soap and agricultural fertilizer, and calling on the whole nation to pick up brooms to clean the streets
With the joint efforts of the whole nation, New York gradually got rid of its dirty and messy environment and established a relatively systematic and complete garbage classification and recycling system. According to the latest law in 1989, New York residents must sort and dispose of their garbage before discarding it. Recyclable waste is divided into two categories: paper and cardboard, and metal, glass, and plastic products, which need to be placed in different colored trash cans.
In recent years, New York has been constantly exploring more detailed methods of garbage classification, attempting to separately recycle food waste and use it for biogas power generation and composting. The local government believes that increasing efforts in garbage recycling not only helps purify the environment, but also saves a lot of government expenses.
