Describe the pattern of recycling rates shown on the map.

Suggest two reasons why recycling rates differ greatly between countries.

Explain two strengths and one weakness of one local or national strategy aimed at reducing the consumption of one named resource.

Named resource:

Local or national strategy:

Strength 1:

Strength 2:

Weakness:

Award [1] for each valid descriptive point, up to a maximum of [3]. Must have some quantification for [3].

Award up to a maximum of [1] for repeat of data for regions.

Possibilities include:

• highest rates in Central and/or Northern Europe/Scandinavia (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, etc)
• lowest rates in Eastern/South Eastern Europe (Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, etc) and Portugal and Iceland
• Portugal as an anomaly
• most of Western Europe have mid-rates.

In each case, award [1] for a valid reason and [1] for further development/exemplification.

For example: Countries such as Germany, where recycling was introduced decades ago [1], now have much higher recycling rates than countries such as Turkey, where recycling has only just begun [1].

Possible reasons include:

• differences in government policy/prioritization of SDGs/alternative green initiatives eg reusing
• private sector incentives (eg money for returning electronics, soft drinks containers, etc)
• levels of education / environmental awareness
• publicity/advertising
• infrastructure available for recycling
• differences in economic development/costs of recycling – some poorer countries focus on development rather than environment.

In each case, award [1] for the strength/weakness of one valid existing strategy and [1] for further development.

Award up to a maximum of [4] if there is no named resource or located/named strategy.

The question does not refer specifically to natural resources and so enables a broad definition of resource, eg plastics.

Likely strategies include, but are not limited to: conservation, waste reduction, recycling or substitution.

For example (resource substitution): The Canadian province of Alberta has introduced a strategy to phase out the use of coal.
Strength: the province introduced this strategy in order to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions [1] with a target of zero [1].
Weakness: it is expensive to develop other sources of energy [1] as the scale/technology for renewable sources is still in early stages of development [1].