By MICHELLE MALKA GROSSMAN
03/03/2016
Government to spend NIS 1 billion for better recycling, waste services.
The city of Tel Aviv was given the distinctive title of “Recycler of the Year,” after it came ahead of all other cities in Israel in terms of recycling per capita in 2015.
The award, given by the ELA Recycling Corporation was based on the amount of bottles recycled per capita, for which Tel Aviv residents recycled 53.5 liters worth in 2015.
According to the company’s data, the amount of waste recycled in 2015 went up by 15 percent since 2000 and rose by 2% from 2014. The efforts have amounted to 125 tons of packaging being recycled, which is 20% above the average for the rest of the country per household.
ELA attributed part of the recycling rise since 2000 to the placement of orange recycling bins around the city, specifically for packaging waste. Currently 48,000 apartment buildings and homes in the city have the orange bins, with another 25,000 residences expected to receive them.
Speaking at the event, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said that his city, in collaboration with others, are investing “hundreds of millions of shekels” into developing the “biggest and most advanced recycling facility in the Middle East,” at the former Hiriya landfill that has been transformed into a park in recent years. He expressed hope that the facility would allow half of all trash in the Gush Dan region to be recycled.
Recycling efforts are at the forefront right now especially after the Environmental Protection Ministry announced on Wednesday evening that it will be investing NIS 1 billion into creating a “revolutionary” recycling program.
The program would make sure that all cities, big and small, have adequate trash and recycling amenities available.
Its extensive goal is to have 35% of all waste be recycled by 2020.
Speaking to the heads of regional councils from around the country, the ministry’s director-general Israel Danziger announced the program, which includes cash incentives for cities that recycle.
As part of the initiative, councils would receive NIS 316 for every additional ton of trash recycled compared to the previous year, in addition to the construction of 46 facilities to sort and treat trash.
Part of the program is aimed at getting better trash service to Arab sector. For this, the ministry plans to spend NIS 300 million to “improve the quality of life and the health of the Arab community.”
http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Environment/Tel-Aviv-dubbed-Recycler-of-the-Year-446864