Sweden generating growing amounts of plastic waste
There’s been a big rise in how much plastic waste Sweden produces, up 40 percent in just the last five years.
The new figure comes from a study by the Environmental Protection Agency. This includes all plastic being thrown away, including that from factories and farms.
The EPA says there is a lack of systems to allow building firms, industrial operations and hospitals to separate plastic from other waste. In addition only a minority of local municipalities have places to collect plastic items such as old garden furniture or plant pots.
It warns that burning plastic is making it harder to reach the climate goal of zero net emissions by 2045 at the latest.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Youth in Arctic Canadian town take aim at grocery store’s plastic use, CBC News
Finland: Citizens’ initiative prompts Finnish lawmakers to consider microplastics ban, Yle News
Norway: Norwegian cruise company phases out single-use plastics from its Svalbard establishments, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian Navy sends clean-up team to Arctic trash dump, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Swedish raft made from trash draws attention to plastic pollution, Radio Sweden
United States: Industry launches campaign to free oceans from plastic… how serious is it?, Alaska Public Media
