Citation
Leal Filho, W. (2012), "Editorial", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 23 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/meq.2012.08323aaa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Editorial
Editorial
Article Type: Editorial From: Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Volume 23, Issue 1.
Welcome to another issue of MEQ. This issue presents readers a further, interesting set of papers on environment and environmental quality issues, with a strong international focus. On this editorial, I would like to refer to Greenland's efforts to improve waste management.
Like many other European countries, Greenland faces the challenge of improving its handling of waste. Reduce, reuse, recycle – the common mantra of waste management makes the process sound simple. But while these three ingredients may be the same, the recipe for sustainable waste management can be very different – and Greenland's unique environment presents some considerable challenges.
Modernising waste incineration is therefore one important element, but there are many opportunities to improve the situation with more simple steps as well. For example, keeping hazardous waste like batteries, paints and electronic waste separate from overall waste now has top priority. This waste is often sent to Denmark for treatment, an unsustainable practice.
The government of Greenland, municipalities and other stakeholders are currently very active in investigating the most suitable solutions for waste management given the extreme climate and the vast distances between towns and villages in Greenland. Public interest in waste is rising, and one of the first steps will be to raise awareness of waste issues, among citizens and children in particular.
Although recycling plants are far away, increasing quantities of metals are separated from the waste stream and shipped to recycling plants in Europe, and authorities are investigating similar solutions for other waste materials. Closing the loop of metals is one small step towards a recycling society and a greener economy, in which waste is used as a resource rather than a burden. Making these changes in such a challenging environment can also provide lessons for the other Arctic countries, whose nature is especially fragile and where environmental contamination can have severe consequences.
Enjoy your reading!
Walter Leal Filho