The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection announced plans for a 3 billion shekel scheme to increase rates of household waste recycling, which will involve incentive packages for local authorities and benefits for households participating in the program.
Under the new scheme, the first local authorities to make a commitment to initiate separate recycling collection by the year 2013 and for at least ten years will be given a stimulus package of at least 200 million shekels (over US$50 million). The package will include new separation bins, added waste collection vehicles for kerbside recycling, assistance during the transition period, information and education as well as a joining benefit of 120 shekels to every household joining the program.
It is estimated that the programme will lead to around 500,000 residents participating in recycling separation and kerbside collection, which will amount to around 150,000 tons of recyclable household waste saved from landfill annually. This will represent an increase in household recycling in Israel from the current estimate of 13percent to around 55 percent.
Waste will be separated into two sections; organic material such as garden waste and food scraps, and dry waste, including paper and recyclable packaging.
In addition to the new recycling incentives programme, there will be an additional levy on landfill, further encouraging people to recycle and new recycling plants will be constructed, also creating more employment. The ministry has estimated that between five and ten thousand jobs will be created by the scheme.
For further details, visit:
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