A Comparison of Obstacles in Emerging and Developed Nation Dry Waste Recovery

In recent years recycling rates have begun plateauing below their full potential in developed nations. This paper presents a review of literature summarizing the major obstacles on municipal recyclables recovery and infers there is a link to the plateauing behaviour of recycling levels. It also aims to compare these major influences between emerging and developed countries, with the goal of highlighting the regions most in need of improvement. The major influences are categorized under six headings; government policy, technology and human resources, local recycling market, household education, government finances and household economics, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) administration and personnel education. There is also a comparison between emerging and developed nations recycling system effectiveness. The conclusions of this paper will inform more effective policies in emerging and developed nations.