Renewable resources

Renewable resources - Instead of building waste incinerators and enlarging existing landfill sites, a green city should reduce the volume of waste it produces and put in place systems of waste segregation and composting.

The average European citizen disposes of a kilogram and a half of rubbish every day, most of which ends up in landfill. In reality, most of the rubbish which goes into our bins could be composted or used as a valuable secondary material: paper, glass, plastics and metals. Green parties are encouraging European cities to reduce the volume of waste produced at source and to introduce waste segregation and composting schemes. These methods are cheaper, greener and are being met with increasing enthusiasm by citizens.

Introducing a small charge for plastic bags and other disposable items, using reusable packaging such as bottles, composting of organic waste are some examples of greener urban resource management. For example in Ireland a charge for plastic bags was introduced which resulted in demand for plastic bags in shops to fall by 90% in just a few months.

To improve the situation, you can:


 * demand your local government to introduce a scheme of waste segregation and composting throughout the city (find out whether the town council also segregates its waste)
 * demand your local government to buy products made from recycled materials (e.g. paper and pens)
 * cooperate with the Green party and non-governmental organisations who are working towards minimising the volume of waste produced and the introduction of recycling schemes.