Guest Post: Recycling in Norway

I have lived outside the UK for the whole of, as I call it, “the wake up age”.   When you turn from being an irresponsible adult into a proper adult.  Where you get it, being a parent, relationships, consideration, children, life, death, and of course the environment.   Where you start to take note of the subtle differences in your day-to-day norms compared with those of your friends and family back home.

I am starting with Norway because I am here right now, and more importantly because they lead the race in recycling by more than a horse’s head.  The last stats recorded showed that over 68% of Norway’s waste was being recycled.  That was in 2005, compared with 23% in UK, Netherlands 64% and Germany 57%. Bit like the World Cup results, except Norway never qualified!  In 2006 Norway had set itself a target of 75% recycling.  I couldn’t find any information as to whether they’ve achieved this yet or not?  In the same year they also slapped a tax on milk and juice cartons.  The growing consumption of both milk and juice had increased litter issues and so they placed a .45 kroner tax on each carton.  What was the equivalent of $0.06 dollars four years ago?  This tax will be levied when the country reaches 95% recycling targets!  They’re hardcore.

So, how do they achieve it?  Well, one of their systems is that every Norwegian plastic bottle, or tin, has a value.  Every supermarket chain has recycling machines, where you can put your bottle, and where you get a refund for recycling these items.  It’s all very simple I think the trolls must have invented it.  Civilised as well, a place to put your plastic bag you brought your empties in, and something to wipe your hands with.

The bottles and tins go into the machine and once you’ve finished you press the red button, and out comes a barcoded ticket with the value of your recycling on it.  You can then redeem this at the check out when you’ve finished your shopping.  Fabulous, 3 ice-creams please! This is by no means their only way of getting rid of waste.  There are bins everywhere to recycle everything.  On every street corner, in any area where there’s several shops or reason for people to create litter.  As I recall the first airport I saw sorting bins for rubbish as well.

One of the fundamental differences between the Norwegians and the rest of Europe is that no matter what age, they have ultimate respect for their country and climate.  Each winter and summer they surrender to nature with temperatures varying from  -44 in winter to plus 30 in summer.  Daylight hours of less than one hour in winter in parts in the north compared with 24 hours daylight in summer.  Their high regard of nature and their environment is what their high regard of nature and their environment is what sets them apart from us by miles, and possibly why their recycling statistics are miles better than anyone else in Europe.

Fiona is a mother of three plus two (step children).  Having lived outside of her native home for more than fifteen years, including France and more later Lanzarote.  Married to a Norwegian, and spending more than four months of the year with the trolls.  She consider myself a citizen of Europe.

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