From Waste to Energy: Understanding the Role of Government Policies

Waste Reduction Policies

The government has been working on policies over the years to minimize waste and bring things under control. More importantly, the waste reduction policies are designed to lower the volume of waste emitted by organizations and individuals and to encourage the reuse and recycling of materials. Back in the past, many governments have executed waste reduction targets; to illustrate this fact, the European Union has set the aim that municipal waste has to be recycled by 65% by 2035. Other plans are also in their pipeline, which comprise fees on plastic bags, single-use plastics, and compulsory recycling programs.

Back in 2008, China implemented a nationwide ban on plastic bags, which resulted in a reduction in consumption by 66% in a year. Even in the cities of India, such as Delhi and Maharashtra, the usage of plastic bags has been stopped as there is a negative environmental impact.

Ijjasz-Vasquez, Senior Director of the World Bank’s Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice said “Solid waste management is everyone’s business. Ensuring effective and proper solid waste management is critical to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,”

Public Education and Outreach

In order to make the policies very effective among the public, the government is engaging with the public to educate them about waste management and encourage sustainable behavior. The agenda is to deliver information on the disposal of waste, the recycling process, composting, and the significance of waste reduction. Besides, they also work with educational institutions and non-profit organizations to get a clear picture of the outreach initiatives. The policies they have implemented till now on waste management have impacted the public.

For instance, in Japan, the EPR programs and policies have improved recycling rates, and for the citizens there, recycling has become part of their daily routine. In the United States, the government has implemented several recycling programs and regulations, which has led to an increase in recycling rates.

In a nutshell, the government has contributed a lot to the formulation of policies and programs to benefit the environment. However, the population is growing rapidly across the globe, so they have to work on more policies and programs for the public in a way that is sustainable. To accomplish this goal, they require massive funding from several sources, stringent rules on the disposal of waste, and continued education and outreach. As environmental sustainability is key to the world, the government has to closely work with citizens to ensure things are going towards a greener future.