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A Danish island is going rubbish-free after adopting a new recycling system

Monday, 24 February 2020

Can you imagine what it would be like if we reused or recycled each and every piece of waste we produce? One local government in Denmark is doing just that....

Image source: https://bornholm.info

Can you imagine what it would be like if we reused or recycled each and every piece of waste we produce? Well, despite sounding imaginary, the local government of Bornholm, a Danish island, may have found the way to do it. Officials say that, by the year 2032, all of Bornholm’s waste will be turned into resources. This could potentially turn the island into one of the first waste-free communities in the world.

The decision came upon discovering that the island’s waste-incinerator does not have much life left, so the authorities need to think of a better solution to manage safe trash disposal. They plan on closing the incinerator in 2032, once the transition to a trash-free community is finalized.

In their complex vision, BOFA, the island’s waste management facility, has though of everything. Waste will be separated into small fractions, easy to collect and recycle. Metal, plastic, paper and glass will be recycled as before, adding fishing nets and insulation materials to the recycling system as well. Organic waste, as well as green waste will be converted into energy, while the remaining residue will be used as fertilizer.

Furniture, clothing, and other reusable items will be part of the island’s circular economy, as the community will be able to give out or rent goods online.

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