Learning from Portuguese Recycling

I caught a clip on ERT about the little-known Portuguese vacation spot of Ericeria, located on the southern coast of the small nation. Famous for its surfing clime, the host also pointed out another interesting aspect of the Portuguese lifestyle; recycling.While in America we do try to recycle, or perhaps just not use the plastic at all, the Portuguese seem to have it down. Just one aspect of the Portuguese recycling system is the fact that they use not only government regulated recycling centers, but non-profit companies like Sociedade Ponto Verde also collect sorted, recyclable materials. They recently released the results of their July 2008 telephone survey, asking citizens about the frequency, not only of their practiced recycling, but for sorting their used recyclables into the proper containers.In fact, Sociedade Ponto Verde’s sorting recycling system has increased the number of annual recycled waste in Portugal by 18 to 20 percent since 2004. In conjunction with the Portuguese Instituto de Residúos, or “Institute for Waste,” it is apparent that this system of sorting recyclables is evidently working.Glass, paper, and plastic recyclables all involve different methods of recycling, and so need to be sorted before they can be properly disposed of. This sorting stage is a real problem for many recycling agencies, and for the agencies themselves to sort the materials can cost upwards of thousands of dollars. The boon of separate recycling receptacles becomes clear at this point. In order to implant recycling into the mindset of the culture is the foremost way to create a sustainable atmosphere. With people easily able to sort recycling on their own, not only does the government and privately run recycling agencies save money and labor, but as evidenced by the increase in annual recycled waste, the common mindset becomes altered. The ease and commonplace, as well as the advertisement, of recycling capabilities may be the best way for society as a whole to adopt a culture of reuse and recycling. In some towns across America these different recycling receptacles can be found, and mottos such as the 3Rs are gaining popularity, but perhaps what is needed is a nation-wide program of sorting recyclables as well as service advertisements. Certainly we can take advice from the beautiful country of Portugal, and especially the small town of Ericeira, and thank for setting an example that anyone can follow.

AceFisch | My Bio & Articles

I am an junior English major/ Philosophy minor at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Currently I am spending the spring of 2009 studying at the University College Cork in Cork, Ireland.