Recycling can be more than just sorting your trash— when communities come together they can make a real impact. From creative reuse shops in Japan to Taiwan’s playful, gamified recycling culture, these places transform waste into opportunity and work towards zero waste. Get inspired by these recycling successes worldwide, where innovative solutions create sustainable waste management.
San Francisco, California, USA: Zero Waste by 2020
San Francisco is one of the USA’s recycling success stories. In 2002, the city committed to becoming zero waste by 2020. But what does zero waste mean, I hear you cry? It’s using products in a way that creates as little trash as possible. First, you try to prevent waste, then reduce and reuse items, and finally recycle and compost. The goal is to make sure nothing ends up in a landfill or is burned. San Francisco became the first city in the U.S. to introduce mandatory recycling and composting, while also banning items like plastic bags and Styrofoam. But did they succeed in their goal? Whilst they didn’t reach zero waste, they divert 80% of their waste from landfills and recycle 600 tonnes of material a day making them a recycling success story in our eyes.
Kamikatsu, Japan: The Zero Waste Town
The people of Kamikatsu used to have a simple way of disposing of their trash. They dug a huge hole and set it on fire. Hey, we didn’t say it was a good way, just, admittedly, simple. Then the Zero Waste Centre was created and with it, a goal to be a zero waste town by 2020. They now sort recycling into 45 categories, have a thrift shop to reuse items, and have achieved 80% recycling success. The final 20% reveals the major hurdle to achieving zero waste- changes are required at the production level to make sustainable waste management successful.
Curitiba, Brazil: Urban Innovation in Recycling
Curitiba is a shining example of a successful recycling program as it supports the environment and its people too. About 70% of the city's waste is recycled, thanks to innovative programs like the Green Exchange Program. Since 1991, residents have been able to exchange their recyclables for bus tokens, food, and even school supplies, helping to keep the city clean while providing essential resources. These programs also create jobs and engage children in sustainability efforts, like exchanging plastic for toys made from recycled materials.
Taipei, Taiwan: Transformative Recycling Education
In the 1990’s Taiwan had one of the worst urban waste management systems in the world and had become known as ‘Garbage Island’. Something had to change. They started making residents pay for each trash bag collected which dramatically reduced waste, and education campaigns taught recycling from a young age. They made recycling trucks fun, driving through the city playing loud music five nights a week, and turning recycling from a boring chore to a fun daily ritual. Apps and vending machines even swap recyclable products for points that can be used for discounts on bubble tea and foot massages!
Capannori, Italy: Zero Waste Model for Municipalities
When a new incinerator was due to be built in Capannori, Italy the people of the town said a loud ‘No, grazie’. The determined local community’s efforts have led to an Italy-wide zero waste movement and gained Capannori one of the highest municipal recycling rates in Europe. They introduced door-to-door waste collection, rigorous recycling programs, and education campaigns that empowered residents to minimize waste. The town also promoted reusable products and pressured manufacturers to reduce packaging. As a result, Capannori has significantly reduced landfill waste, and increased its recycling rate to over 80%.
Portland, Oregon, USA: Community-Based Recycling Programs
If there were a US city you had to guess was good at recycling Portland would come pretty high up the list. Known for its community spirit and love for all things alternative, Portland has made recycling a neighborhood tradition, turning waste reduction into a fun and shared community effort. The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability offered funding and support to help neighborhood associations organize collection events for hard-to-dispose household waste like furniture, mattresses, large appliances, and electronics. The events evolved to have a strong focus on recycling and reuse.
Flanders, Belgium: Pioneering Extended Producer Responsibility
Flanders in Belgium is putting the responsibility of sustainable waste management firmly on the producer's shoulders and so far it is paying off. Extended producer responsibility (EPR), requires companies to finance the collection, recycling, and safe disposal of their products, leading to innovative designs that reduce waste and promote recyclability. This approach has helped Flanders achieve some of the highest recycling rates in Europe, minimizing landfill use and fostering a circular economy where materials are reused and repurposed.
Long Story Short
Grassroots movements can have real effects when it comes to recycling and waste management, often influencing policy change and pushing governments to make positive changes. We hope these examples can act as inspiration for future community efforts!
Written by Laura Sedlak
