Many experts are calling the growing problem of global waste a worldwide health crisis in since pollution from trash is not only harming the world's oceans, air and soil but also endangering people's health as well as the livelihood of all living creatures.

    Reduce, reuse, recycle

    Such a dilemma raises the question, is there a more responsible way of dealing with trash? Fortunately, there is. One example of this is what's often called the three Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. Reducing the use of plastic containers as well as reusing and recycling bottles and cans decreases the amount of garbage being sent to landfills. As a result, less money is spent on waste management, and countries' financial burdens are significantly relieved. Such positive effects on an economy are known as a circular economy.

    Circular economy

    Traditionally, manufacturers would make a product to be used and disposed of by consumers. This linear (直线型的) model of production offered no help in the fight against global waste.

    Once a product's value is exhausted, the materials are recycled and returned to manufacturers. The outcome is less waste. One large-scale example of this is happening on the island of Taiwan.

    In 1997, Taiwan established its signature 4-in-1 Recycling Program, consisting of communities, government cleaning teams, recycling companies and the Recycling Fund. Residents separate their recyclable waste. The local government collection teams collect it. Importers and manufacturers who are responsible for the recyclable products pay a fee into the Recycling Fund. The

    Recycling Fund is an essential aspect of the program used to subsidize (补贴) the recycling disposal system, support education and research and development as well as finance recycling efforts in the future.

    Turning garbage into gold

    By following a circular system, more products than ever are being manufactured using recycled materials. Environmentally-friendly decisions like these help to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, save landfill space and even create new job opportunities.  

A. Practices in Taiwan

B. 4-in-1 Recycling Program

C. Recycling can truly turn garbage into gold.

D. Living a zero-waste lifestyle is the way to go.

E. Alternatively, a circular economy was introduced.

F. The recyclable waste is recycled in many local factories.

G. Recycling companies buy waste materials from them to make profits.