Which countries recycle the least in the world?
Plastics can suffocate and trap some aquatic species. And when they are microplastics (i.e. less than five millimeters in length), they can even end up in the digestive systems of some marine life that ingest them.
The next continent, Africa, discharges barely a tenth. And South America, the third on the list, is responsible for 5.5% of the plastics that end up in the oceans. It is followed by North America (4.5%), Europe (0.6%) and Oceania (0.3).
Rich countries generate 0.2 to 0.5 kg of plastic waste per day per person, a figure far higher than that generated by countries such as India (0.01) or the Philippines (0.07). Of course, populations in some Asian countries are much higher but, as Our World in Data makes clear, the figures for rich countries are still very high in absolute terms: the UK generates twice as much plastic waste as the Philippines.
However, the amount of waste generated is only one of the factors, and there are two others that influence the bottom line: the management of this waste and the likelihood of poorly managed waste reaching rivers and eventually the oceans. And it is in these factors that the picture changes radically.
Recycling in Switzerland 2021
In order to obtain mercury from the dust, it is necessary to heat it to a predefined temperature for a considerable period of time (up to 24 hours). Balcan’s lamp recycling center uses a specialized company (which treats all types of mercury waste) to perform this operation, although we have been told that, for every approximately 1,000 kg of phosphor powder with mercury residues, only 0.5 kg of mercury is obtained.
Balcan believes that the additional recycling required to obtain mercury only from the phosphor dust collected during the lamp recycling process is more harmful to the environment, as well as being uneconomical. However, if the system can be used with different types of mercury waste, the costs incurred could be artificially offset by the waste stream, which is easier to recycle and has higher contamination rates.
How to recycle in Switzerland
“Growing up, I never thought I could or should be involved in politics. I didn’t see anyone who looked like me occupying spaces of power. We are redefining what leadership looks like,” Wu told reporters.
Traditionally, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) mayors have been elected in places with large Asian populations, such as California and Hawaii. However, the recent rise of anti-Asian racism appears to have prompted a significant portion of Asian Americans to become more involved in politics. The United States has recorded more than 9,000 anti-Asian incidents since the start of the pandemic.
“What’s different about mayoral elections is that it’s a citywide office. To win at that level you need to build a broad coalition of support across racial lines,” says Sara Sadhwani, an associate professor of politics at Pomona College who specializes in American and ethnic politics.
Why some countries send their waste to other nations
Fast fashion has a presence in virtually every shopping mall and captivates us because it allows us to look fashionable at affordable prices. However, it is a highly polluting and controversial business model.
The way we dress influences how we relate to people, gives us a sense of belonging and places us in a certain social stratum, whether we want it or not. In different places and times in history, laws were enacted that dictated the types, colors and materials of clothing that could be worn. The aim, according to English historian Aileen Ribeiro, was that no one should dress above their social class. Although dress codes still exist today, what we choose to wear now depends more on fashion trends and our budget. During the second half of the 20th century, the price of clothing increased at a slower rate than other products due to consumerism in this sector.