ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science

Norway recycles 97% of its plastic bottles

In order to reach this crazy-good recycling rate, Norway leveraged a mechanism present in almost all modern economies: capitalism.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
March 14, 2019
in Science
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

It took us decades, but it seems like the world is finally realizing that there’s just too much plastic pollution. But while most of the world is just starting to implement strategies, Norway is far ahead of the pack: they recycle 97% of all plastic bottles. In order to reach this crazy-good recycling rate, Norway leveraged a mechanism present in almost all modern economies: capitalism.

The recycling scheme essentially functions as a loan. When consumers buy a plastic bottle, they pay a premium for it, typically the equivalent of 15-30 US cents. The consumer can then redeem this cost in a number of ways: either by taking it to a reverse-vending machine or returning it to gas stations or other types of shops. The shop owners also receive a small percentage of the cost and more importantly, they have customers walking into their shops — and a percentage of them also stops to shop. At the same time, the country has also worked on the other end, putting an environmental tax on plastic producers, which can be reduced if the environmental standards are improved.

As a result, not only does Norway recycle an awesome amount of plastic bottles, but the bottles are also made of relatively good material, which means they can be recycled again and again; 92% of recycled bottles can be used again, and in some cases, the same material has been reused by more than 50 times.

Norway’s strategy relies on the simple realization that recycling plastic costs more than producing new plastic — so without a financial incentive, there’s little reason to recycle plastic. Sure, being eco-friendly and recycling is good, but realistically, that won’t take you very far in most cases. So Norway gave recycling a financial value. Having a responsible corporate partner to aid this process also helps.

Germany, another world leader in recycling, also uses a similar system to great success. Meanwhile, in the US, the recycling rate for plastic bottles is around 30%, whereas in the UK, it’s somewhere between 20 and 45%.

The European Union recently announced a ban on all single-use plastic, but the world is still not taking sufficient action. Worldwide, a whopping 91% of plastic isn’t recycled. Plastic takes more than 400 years to degrade, so most of it still exists in some form, either in landfills or in the oceans.

RelatedPosts

Overeating alone doesn’t explain the obesity epidemic. There’s more to it than just ‘calories in, calories out’
How geologists study volcanoes through myths, legends, and other unconventional data
Denmark halts plan to cull minks en-masse over coronavirus concerns
Water-breathing scuba mask design still has a way to go

 

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Future

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ That’s Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

byTibi Puiu
5 hours ago
great white shark
Animals

This Shark Expert Has Spent Decades Studying Attacks and Says We’ve Been Afraid for the Wrong Reasons

byJordan Strickler
8 hours ago
Agriculture

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

byTudor Tarita
8 hours ago
News

Ancient ‘Zombie’ Fungus Trapped in Amber Shows Mind Control Began in the Age of the Dinosaurs

byMihai Andrei
8 hours ago

Recent news

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ That’s Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

June 30, 2025
great white shark

This Shark Expert Has Spent Decades Studying Attacks and Says We’ve Been Afraid for the Wrong Reasons

June 30, 2025

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

June 30, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.