14 OCTOBER 2011OMAN DAILY Observer
Culture of recycling
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
3 min read
OMAN is committed to sustainable development.One of the key elements that advances this noble practice is recycling.Oman’s commitment to environmental protection and cleanliness is also well known. Recycling is a great way in saving the environment and maintaining all-round cleanliness. According to the Brundtland Report “Our Common Future”, “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
An all-out effort is needed to further develop and deepen a very strong culture of recycling in the country. In each residential and commercial area of the Sultanate huge amount of used paper, clothes, metal, plastic and glass and other items are discarded every day, which can be recycled profitably.
Although Muscat Municipality has put in place a very efficient waste removal system, it cannot be 100 per cent fool-proof and one does see litter in residential and commercial places occasionally. The reason for this litter is not a lack of cleanliness so much as a lack of recycling focus.
To be sure, recycling is an excellent waste prevention method. Faced with landfill shortages and the need for increased resource efficiency, countries and commercial organisations across the world are moving away from the waste treatment approach and towards waste prevention.
Waste prevention involves the 4Rs: reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery.Wherever possible, waste reduction is the preferable option.If waste is produced, every effort should be made to reuse it if practicable. Recycling helps to conserve resources and reduce wastes. Recycling should be considered for waste which cannot be reduced or reused. Finally, it may be possible to recover materials or energy from waste which cannot be reduced, reused or recycled.
Moreover, some materials, including aluminium, are ideal for recycling. About 85 per cent of aluminium is recyclable with no health hazards. Greater use of aluminium is recommended for a strong culture of recycling. Recycling helps conserve energy, since it will only need less energy to recycle than to make a new product. Recycling also reduces pollution and saves raw materials.
Oman needs to establish a recycling centre in each wilayat to get people involved in recycling. Also, there is a need to provide separate bins for different materials such as paper, plastic, bottles, clothes or wood. It is a small thing to do, but it will make a big and significant difference and can go on from generations to generations. Much of the waste we throw in our trash bin can be recycled. Awareness is the key to an efficient recycling.
An all-out effort is needed to further develop and deepen a very strong culture of recycling in the country. In each residential and commercial area of the Sultanate huge amount of used paper, clothes, metal, plastic and glass and other items are discarded every day, which can be recycled profitably.
Although Muscat Municipality has put in place a very efficient waste removal system, it cannot be 100 per cent fool-proof and one does see litter in residential and commercial places occasionally. The reason for this litter is not a lack of cleanliness so much as a lack of recycling focus.
To be sure, recycling is an excellent waste prevention method. Faced with landfill shortages and the need for increased resource efficiency, countries and commercial organisations across the world are moving away from the waste treatment approach and towards waste prevention.
Waste prevention involves the 4Rs: reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery.Wherever possible, waste reduction is the preferable option.If waste is produced, every effort should be made to reuse it if practicable. Recycling helps to conserve resources and reduce wastes. Recycling should be considered for waste which cannot be reduced or reused. Finally, it may be possible to recover materials or energy from waste which cannot be reduced, reused or recycled.
Moreover, some materials, including aluminium, are ideal for recycling. About 85 per cent of aluminium is recyclable with no health hazards. Greater use of aluminium is recommended for a strong culture of recycling. Recycling helps conserve energy, since it will only need less energy to recycle than to make a new product. Recycling also reduces pollution and saves raw materials.
Oman needs to establish a recycling centre in each wilayat to get people involved in recycling. Also, there is a need to provide separate bins for different materials such as paper, plastic, bottles, clothes or wood. It is a small thing to do, but it will make a big and significant difference and can go on from generations to generations. Much of the waste we throw in our trash bin can be recycled. Awareness is the key to an efficient recycling.
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