Taaskasutusmäär

Taaskasutusmäär refers to the percentage of waste that is recycled. It is a key indicator of a community's or nation's waste management performance and commitment to environmental sustainability. A higher taaskasutusmäär signifies that a larger proportion of discarded materials are being diverted from landfills and incinerators, and instead are being processed into new products.

Calculating the taaskasutusmäär typically involves dividing the total weight or volume of materials recycled by the total amount of waste generated over a specific period. This figure is often expressed as a percentage. Different regions and organizations may use slightly varied methodologies for their calculations, which can sometimes lead to variations in reported rates.

Increasing the taaskasutusmäär is a common goal for governments and environmental agencies worldwide. Strategies to achieve this include implementing comprehensive recycling programs, public education campaigns to encourage participation, improving recycling infrastructure, and developing markets for recycled materials. Policy measures such as landfill taxes and producer responsibility schemes can also incentivize higher recycling rates.

The benefits of a high taaskasutusmäär extend beyond waste diversion. Recycling conserves natural resources by reducing the need to extract raw materials, saves energy compared to manufacturing from virgin materials, and decreases pollution associated with extraction, processing, and disposal. It also contributes to job creation in the recycling and manufacturing sectors.