Garbage Classification Methods in Various Countries Around The World

With the enhancement of human environmental awareness, garbage classification is gradually being valued by people. How to effectively recycle and reuse garbage is also a hot topic at present. Garbage classification is a challenge for everyone and a long process of collective cultivation.
How do people deal with garbage? How to deal with and recycle large items of garbage and electronic waste, especially? What are the differences in garbage classification methods among different countries? What are the methods of garbage disposal in various countries around the world?
Let's take a look together.
Chinese garbage classification method
1. Recyclable: mainly including five categories: waste paper, plastic, glass, metal, and fabric.
2. Non recyclable kitchen waste: including leftover food, bones, vegetable roots, leaves, fruit peels, and other food waste. Other garbage: difficult to recycle waste such as bricks, tiles, ceramics, slag, toilet paper, tissues, as well as fruit shells and dust.
3. Toxic and harmful waste: Waste containing heavy metals, toxic substances that are harmful to human health, or waste that poses real or potential harm to the environment. Including batteries, fluorescent tubes, light bulbs, mercury thermometers, paint buckets, some household appliances, expired drugs, expired cosmetics, etc. These wastes are generally collected separately or disposed of in landfills.
Garbage disposal methods
At present, garbage treatment in China mostly adopts sanitary landfill, composting incineration, and resource utilization, as well as simple landfill methods. Although it is the most pollution-free treatment method, it still occupies tens of thousands of acres of land, and there is a serious problem of environmental pollution caused by garbage. Therefore, garbage classification and collection can reduce the amount of garbage treatment and treatment equipment, lower treatment costs, reduce land resource consumption, and have social, economic, and ecological benefits
The garbage disposal methods implemented in different cities in our country are different: Beijing implements a pilot community for garbage classification, Shanghai implements a reward mechanism for exchanging recycled materials for gifts, Shenzhen clarifies classification technology standards, and Hangzhou implements a real name system for garbage classification.
American waste classification method
1. Recyclable garbage: waste paper, plastic, glass, metal, fabric
2. Kitchen waste:
(1) Cooked kitchen waste includes leftover food, leftover rice, and vegetable leaves; Raw kitchen waste includes peel, eggshell, tea residue, bone and shell;
(2) Refers to the sources of raw materials and finished products (cooked food) or residues needed in family life and diet. But the broad definition of kitchen waste also includes used chopsticks, food packaging materials, etc.
3. Hazardous waste: cleaning products, decoration and construction products, horticultural and pest control products, automotive products, household appliances products;
4. Other garbage: difficult to recycle waste such as bricks, tiles, ceramics, slag, toilet paper, tissues, as well as fruit shells and dust. On a fixed day of the week, urban residents in the United States push their trash cans to the roadside, and garbage trucks dispatched by municipal departments or private companies contracted with municipal departments will empty and clean these trash cans. Subsequently, these garbage will be sent to a transfer station for classification, with a portion for recycling and the unusable transported to a designated location for burial. In American communities, there is no free dumping of garbage, and every household has to bear the cost of collecting and disposing of garbage. This is the "more throw, more pay" garbage charging system in the United States (abbreviated as Payt).
UK
Garbage classification method
Household waste: non recyclable waste such as kitchen food and fruit peels;
Recyclable waste: glass bottles, plastic bottles, cans, discarded newspapers, etc; Construction waste: Waste generated from building construction, such as wood, bricks, soil, etc., as well as garden waste, including lawn trimming, soil, branches, old fences, etc; Waste furniture: sofas, cabinets, tables, benches, etc; Electrical appliances: Large electronic products such as televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, etc; Waste batteries: Unlike all the above garbage, there is a dedicated waste battery recycling bin. If you live in a Flat community, there is usually a dedicated garbage storage shed in the community, and many high-end communities require passwords to enter; For some single or semi detached houses, there is a dedicated trash bin at the entrance of each household. These garbage bins are usually divided into recyclable and non recyclable. Generally, black is used for non recyclable garbage, green is used for recyclable garbage, and in some places, they are further divided. The bins will be labeled with the type of recycling, and residents will store them according to the instructions on each bin. Large garbage trucks will regularly collect them, usually once to twice a week. Strict British people also wash and recycle recyclable waste, such as used soy sauce bottles, oil bottles, etc. Large scale garbage needs to be sent to the local large garbage disposal center, and the shipping cost will be borne by the individual. Discard discarded batteries in specialized recycling bins.
France
Generally speaking, all kitchen waste from the catering industry will be classified into three levels: harmless, neutral, and hazardous, and further subdivided into 20 categories, roughly including non recyclable household waste, recyclable recycled waste, glass products, electrical products, etc.
In France, garbage sorting and recycling is not only a behavior and habit, but also an economic system. Residents need to dispose of garbage according to different colored trash cans. Green lid - non recyclable household waste; Yellow lid - recyclable recycled waste; White lid - glass products; For appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, microwaves, etc., there are regular specialized cars that go to different neighborhoods for recycling. However, not all buildings have three types of trash cans, most of which are only green (some are gray), and the rest of the garbage has to be sent to the recycling station by citizens themselves.
The methods of garbage disposal are mostly recycling, deep burial, or incineration. The French regulations on garbage disposal stipulate that a fine of 250-600 francs shall be imposed on individuals who abandon or dispose of any type of waste, waste, or other garbage in public places or private areas that do not belong to them and do not have the right to benefit or rent. Those who discard used cars or require vehicles to transport and clean up items shall be fined an additional 2500-5000 francs or imprisoned for 10-30 days.
Japan
Garbage classification method
1. General waste, including kitchen waste, paper scraps, plants and trees, packaging bags, leather products, containers, glass, tableware, non resource bottles, rubber, plastic, and clothing and yarn other than cotton white shirts.
2. Combustible resource waste, including newspapers (including flyers and advertising paper), cardboard boxes, magazines (including books and brochures), old fabrics (including blankets, cotton white shirts, cotton bed sheets), and cardboard boxes for milk drinks.
3. Non combustible resource waste, including beverage bottles (aluminum cans, iron cans), brown bottles, colorless transparent bottles, and bottles that can be directly reused.
4. Crushable large pieces of garbage, including small household appliances (televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators/cabinets, washing machines), metals, furniture, bicycles, ceramics, irregularly shaped cans, bedding, grass mats, long chain objects (hoses, ropes, wires, etc.).
Every city in Japan has a garbage classification guide for garbage disposal methods. Japan implements regional autonomy, so the regulations for garbage classification vary in different regions, sometimes even down to differences in the neighborhoods they live in. In order to facilitate residents to carry out correct garbage classification, each city will develop a garbage classification guide and garbage collection schedule according to the schedule every year. Usually, a printed double-sided garbage collection schedule is distributed to each household. In Japan, if you don't strictly enforce garbage classification, you will face huge fines.
Sweden
In Sweden, most households have many garbage bins for storing different types of garbage: batteries, biodegradable materials, and wooden materials need to be sorted; Colored glass and other glass should be classified; Aluminum and other metals should be classified; Newspaper and cardboard boxes also need to be classified, while paper outside of these two types belongs to another category. In addition, cleaning is necessary before sorting these garbage, as milk boxes with milk stains cannot be recycled, and metal cans with labels cannot be recycled.
Sweden has a mandatory recycling system for garbage disposal: first, consumers clean, classify, and transport their garbage to collection centers, which are then transported by government appointed garbage collection services to regional centers where the garbage will be recycled. Unused garbage will be transported to centralized recycling factories for recycling or incineration, and the remaining garbage will be disposed of in landfills. In addition, supermarkets in Sweden also play an important role in the garbage collection system. When paying for drinks purchased at the supermarket, a deposit needs to be paid, and after drinking, they are put into the dedicated recycling machine at the supermarket entrance. The machine will print a receipt, and then use this receipt to go shopping or exchange for cash at the supermarket. This is the famous "deposit recycling system".
Singapore
In Singapore, which is known for its strict laws and regulations, it is not difficult to do a good job in garbage classification. Clear rewards and punishments are sufficient: walking on the streets, littering, smoking, subway dining... all have clear and severe punishments, making people dare not make mistakes. However, there are no punitive measures for garbage classification alone, and everything depends entirely on voluntary participation. Even the so-called classification is only two simple types: recyclable and non recyclable. The garbage disposal method is based on the principles of "reduction, recycling, and reuse". Singapore has explored an effective garbage disposal system for transportation. Singapore produces about 21000 tons of garbage every day, of which only 3% are directly landfilled for non recyclable and non incinerable garbage; Even the incineration of household waste will utilize the generated heat energy for power generation. Nowadays, the Shimagao landfill has become a place for leisure and entertainment. Incineration technology converts 90% of the burned waste into electricity; The recycling rate of construction waste has reached 98% using recycled concrete materials; Electronic waste recycling, dismantling, and reuse have become a new industry for urban waste treatment; Developing clean energy to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.
Australia
Garbage classification methods generally include compostable waste, recyclable waste, and non recyclable waste. The red lid garbage bin contains general household waste, the green lid recycling bin can hold lawn mowing and leaves in the garden, and the yellow lid recycling bin contains waste paper, glass bottles, aluminum, iron cans, and hard plastic bottles. The brochure specially reminds that the recycled bottles should be washed clean, and the recycling buckets with green and yellow lids should not have plastic bags, foamed plastics, clothes, etc.
The garbage disposal method is to collect household waste with red covers once a week, green and yellow covers every other week, and large waste is collected 5 times a year. For large waste, residents need to take their excess items to the recycling center and pay according to the fixed price of the center staff in order to dispose of their household waste. The maintenance fees for collecting garbage, streets, parks, etc. are collectively referred to as community miscellaneous fees, which are approximately 300 yuan per quarter. If waste is not disposed of according to regulations, the government's punishment will be blunt, with a fine of at least 750 yuan. The government also encourages the public to actively report violators, and the public's eyes are clear.
Germany
Garbage classification method: Biological waste: leftover food and vegetables, fruit peels, fallen leaves, flowers, and other plant waste. Generally, brown trash cans are mainly used. Paper waste: Specially used for recycling waste paper, including newspapers, magazines, posters, cardboard boxes, old books, packaging paper, etc., usually in blue trash cans. Packaging waste: special recycling of packaging with green environmental protection marks, including: empty cans, plastic and foam materials, mixed packaging materials, etc. Generally, yellow trash cans are the main type.
Remaining garbage: Other garbage that cannot be recycled, such as cooked food, mirrors, porcelain, light bulbs, dirty or damp paper, used toilet paper, used baby diapers, etc. Special waste: decoration waste, old clothing waste, old tires and appliances, waste glass, toxic waste, and waste batteries, cannot be thrown into household waste. If decoration waste needs to be transported to the door, it will be charged by weight. Garbage disposal methods: Community residents in Germany are required to pay regular management fees, including garbage recycling fees, every year. In addition to the management fees paid according to regulations, if you want to own a separate garbage bin, you also need to customize a corresponding specification and type of garbage bin. There will be dedicated personnel who set the collection time according to the size of your garbage bin. Every year, you will also receive a garbage calendar that clearly lists the different ways of managing garbage and the time it is collected. There are also strict punishment regulations, with "environmental police" in place. Once residents are found littering, warning letters will be issued, and if not corrected in a timely manner, fines will be issued.
South Korea
Garbage classification method: Garbage is classified, disposed of, and cleared according to categories such as ordinary garbage, food waste, recyclable and reusable garbage, and large scrapped items. Recyclable garbage: paper, cardboard boxes, plastics, bottles, cans, steel.
Food waste: General food waste refers to corrosive waste that can be used as animal feed, while others are not food waste but general waste. What does not belong to food waste are vegetables, fruits, seafood, meat, eggs, and husks. In 2010, some places began charging for food waste based on its quantity. Many housewives, in order to save on garbage disposal costs, will first drain the water from the garbage before putting it into a bag. In addition, in South Korea, residents are required to purchase garbage bags for storing kitchen waste. These cost factors have stimulated the enthusiasm of Koreans to "lose weight" for garbage. In addition, South Korean municipal authorities have strict regulations on the time for littering. If residents do not use designated bags or do not litter according to the prescribed time, they will be fined up to 1 million Korean won (approximately 986 US dollars).
Mexico
Garbage classification methods include organic waste and inorganic waste. There will be two trash cans on the street. One of the trash cans will indicate "plastic bags, plastic products, glass products, waste paper, metal", while the other will indicate "food residues, bones, fruits and vegetables, coffee, pasta". Some places are also marked in both Spanish and English, reminding people to sort and dump garbage at all times. The daily output of garbage in Mexico City is 12700 tons, which poses a challenge to the city's garbage disposal capacity. On the one hand, Mexico is working hard to improve the recycling and conversion rate of waste, in order to end the practice of landfill disposal of waste as soon as possible; On the other hand, it is also crucial to address the livelihood of scavengers after garbage sorting. Given that there are many people in Mexico City who rely on recycling for their livelihoods, the government is currently promoting waste sorting by including these individuals in the waste recycling system. Through relevant measures, approximately 3000 tons of garbage can be reused daily. Currently, Mexico has utilized waste to produce energy such as electricity and natural gas, as well as building materials such as cement.
Italy
In Italy, daily waste is classified into six categories: kitchen organic matter, paper, plastic, metal, glass, and non recyclable. In addition, edible oil and hazardous materials also need to be separately recycled.
The first type, kitchen waste: mainly refers to leftover vegetables (without juice), bread, rice, meat, bones, eggshells, etc., mainly perishable.
The second type, dry garbage: Garbage generated at home, mainly non decomposable and dry.
The third type, paper waste: refers to paper based, clean paper without any silver paper parts.
The fourth type is glass and iron. Generally, if a glass bottle has an iron lid, it does not need to be thrown separately. There are also aluminum cans and wine bottles like cola.
The fifth category is clean plastic products, water bottles, beverage bottles, shampoo bottles, etc. If there is still residual food in some food boxes, it is best to rinse them with water before classifying them.
Category 6, other large waste: household appliances, construction waste, etc. The garbage disposal method is that each household is responsible for registering and distributing garbage bins at a designated point by the local government. Each household is issued five plastic bins, which are collected with their ID card and the number of garbage bins collected by each household is registered.
The trash cans are: red for daily non recyclable garbage, white for paper, gray for glass bottles and metal cans, coffee for kitchen waste (small for indoor stove), and two colors of plastic bags are provided for free. Blue large bags are used to store plastic products, while gray plastic bags are used to store daily non recyclable waste and placed in red bins.
After using up two types of garbage bags, they can be obtained for free from the government through the internet, while kitchen waste bags need to be provided by oneself, but they must be the thin and decomposable ones that we usually shop in large supermarkets. Kitchen waste is usually collected every three days, daily non recyclable and glass bottle metal can waste is collected once a week, and plastic and paper waste is collected every two weeks. The government has printed a form, and at that time, the recycling type indicated on the form can be left outdoors the night before.
The implementation of scientifically reasonable garbage classification, recycling, and reuse that is in line with the local conditions of our country is an urgent issue related to the living environment. For some garbage that can be disposed of at home, if it is randomly packed and thrown into the trash can, it not only brings trouble to oneself but also increases the burden on sanitation workers. In today's innovative society, household waste disposal can be achieved through garbage processors, which can crush some kitchen waste, reduce bacterial growth, and maintain indoor cleanliness. This is a good way to protect the environment, starting from me.