Sweden has become a world leader in solid waste management by diverting over 99% of its household waste from landfills. It converts over 50% of household waste into energy through waste-to-energy plants and recycles over 85% of bottles and cans. This is the result of extensive government legislation and policies that mandate waste segregation for both households and producers and hold municipalities responsible for meeting waste management targets. By turning waste into a source of renewable energy and materials, Sweden's system has proven environmentally friendly and economically lucrative while also creating jobs and social benefits.

1. HOW SWEDEN IS TURNING
WASTE INTO GOLD.
Shams Patel

2. INTRODUCTION : WHY SWEDEN ?
More than half of the world’s waste — 59% of it, in fact — ends up in landfills. This means that most of the world’s trash
eventually ends up releasing toxins that contaminate the soil and groundwater, and emit dangerous greenhouse gases.
However, Sweden is setting an example for the rest of the world. Sweden is the world leader in solid waste management.
For several years, it has imported rubbish from other countries to keep its recycling plants going. In 2011 alone Sweden
imported 8,13,000 tons of waste from Norway
Less than 1% of all household waste in Sweden ends up in landfills.
Of the 4.4 million tons of household waste produced by the nation every year, 2.2 million are converted into energy by a process
called Waste-to-Energy (WTE).

3. HISTORY
Government led Waste Management – In 1904 the first Swedish Waste to Energy (WTE) plant was built.
Late 1940’s – expansion of district heating systems led to more WTE plants being constructed
In 1970’s Oil Shocks lead to Swedish government energy strategies independent of oil – relying on WTE.
In 1980’s Sweden introduced a new renewable and environment friendly energy source – Biofuels.

4. STATISTICS
4,783,000 tonnes of household waste was managed in Sweden
in 2017.
50% of household waste were turned to energy.
85% of bottles and cans were recycled in 2017 alone.
1,850 million items are recycled in the plant system every year
where consumers get money back for empty cans and bottles.

5. GROWTH : ACTUAL VS. TARGET

6. WHY IS SWEDISH WASTE
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM A SUCCESS
STORY ?
Extensive Government
Legislation & Leadership
Municipal & District
Responsibilities and
Targets
Segregation of Waste
made mandatory for both
Households and
Producers
Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania,
Romania etc. have started
following Swedish way.
Garbage is burnt and it
generates 20% of district
heating & provides
electricity for over a
quarter million homes.

7. ADVANTAGES OF WASTE
MANAGEMENT
This practice is highly lucrative but under estimated business
•It creates employment opportunities.
•It helps innovation in the field of Waste Management.
It helps to save our Earth and conserve energy
•Keeps the environment clean and fresh
•Reduces environmental pollution
It helps in social awakening
•It brings about sense of responsibility among the communities.
•Reduces health hazard caused by dangerous disposal of waste

8. INSPIRATION
Other countries should get inspired of Sweden’s initiative
towards making our planet a better place to live.
Other countries should learn new technologies and adopt
them in their own countries and contribute towards a
greener and safer world.
All the countries should provide for a fund to fight against
climate change in their annual economic budgets.

9. TRANSITION
From this To this

10. LETS LEND OUR HANDS
Come on lets lend our
hands and make this world
a better place to live, for
ourselves and for over
generations to come. Let
our slogan be “Think before
you thrash it”.

11. WE ARE WITH YOU
SWEDEN.
The United Arab
Emirates would never
like to be left behind in
the race to save our
beautiful Earth. We are
inspired by you, we are
with you Sweden.