Lofty goals set for recycling in Israel

Israel – Some 67% of Israelis recycled their plastic bottles in 2014 while 52% recycled paper and cardboard, the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) has revealed. This represents 900 000 tonnes of material recycled or 18% of Israel’€™s total waste collected last year.

A CBS report details the recycling habits of Israelis and is part of a wider study focusing on environmental issues. It found that 6.2 million tonnes of waste is generated annually in Israel – 4.8 million tonnes of which is municipal and commercial waste and the remaining 1.4 million tonnes industrial waste. By volume, plastic scrap represents over 41% of Israel’s waste, followed by paper on 15.8% and cardboard on 12.2%.

Meanwhile, more than 250 000 tonnes of metals are recycled on an annual basis. According to the report, wood waste was the most recycled material in 2014 (38%) while most major cities managed a PET bottle recycling rate of between 69% and 76%, although the figure for Jerusalem was 48%; more than 80% of citizens have access to a bottle recycling bin whereas the proportion for Jerusalem is 57%.

The report also pointed out that 42% of Israelis return small plastic bottles, glass bottles and cans to supermarkets in order to claim deposits.

The country’s e-scrap sector has produced ‘dismal’ results, adds the report, as only around 32% of batteries and 11% of post-consumer devices are recycled.

Israel’s environmental protection ministry is keen to improve recycling rates and says it is now committed to promoting the ‘recycling revolution’. The government aims to recycle at least 50% of waste generated domestically by 2020.