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4 out of 5 Danish citizens believe waste sorting is necessary, study finds

4 out of 5 Danish citizens believe waste sorting is necessary, study finds

Despite this, 78% feel that it is also cumbersome

On 2 February, the Danish Ministry of Education revealed that the majority of citizens support the government’s waste sorting guidelines. More specifically, a survey of over 1,000 participants found that 79% of people (4 out of 5) believe waste sorting is necessary to fight the climate crisis and protect the environment. 

The study carried out by Ramboll further revealed that 60% of citizens would like more information regarding what happens after they dispose of their waste. As a result, the Danish Environmental Agency has launched ‘Waste Sorting is Useful’: a website where one can learn how to sort waste, what happens once it is collected and how it is recycled, among others. 

Sorting waste into 10 different fractions

Over the past several years, households and companies have changed their habits and become accustomed to sorting waste into different fractions (e.g., plastic, metal, paper, food, etc.) While many countries have implemented similar waste sorting strategies, Denmark’s can be seen as one of the most ambitious. 

Expanding on this, Danish citizens and residents currently sort waste into 9 fractions and 10 in the future. According to the survey’s findings, 78% of citizens say that although they believe the strategy is good for the environment, it is tiring and cumbersome. 

Increasing efforts to reach ambitious targets

In a press release, the Minister of the Environment, Lea Wermelin, shared that the country wants to recycle at least 60% of household waste and companies’ household-like waste by 2030. To achieve this, she notes, citizens must increase their efforts and companies must produce goods and packaging with reusability and recycling in mind. 

With the new website, the government hopes to facilitate the green transition and assist people, municipalities, and companies in sorting their waste.

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