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In Switzerland, recycling is done by the city administration. Put things in the wrong bin, get fined (and quite aggressively so). Instructions are sent to you w

In Switzerland, recycling is done by the city administration. Put things in the wrong bin, get fined (and quite aggressively so). Instructions are sent to you when you move into the city and every year to every household. Works really well [1] (recycling rates: Glass 95%, aluminium 90%, paper 90%, plastic bottles 80%, batteries 70%). Also, no landfills at all, everything is burned, air is filtered and heat is used for heating. [1] http://www.bafu.admin.ch/umwelt/indikatoren/08484/08653/index.html?lang=de http://www.bafu.admin.ch/umwelt/indikatoren/08484/08653/inde...

kgwgk 10y ago
> no landfills at all, everything is burned Only combustible waste is burned. Landfills are still needed.
abalone 10y ago
The recycling rates are great, but even with perfect filtering there's a serious issue with burning trash. Namely, CO2.
- timthorn 10y ago
  That's better than methane from letting it decompose in landfill, plus you get energy out.
  - abalone 10y ago
    That depends on how much biomass goes to landfill but a good composting/recycling program can sort a lot of that out. Furthermore, landfill methane can be captured and repurposed.[1] Seriously, burning stuff is not good. We need to stop doing that. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill_gas_utilization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill_gas_utilization
ido 10y ago
How do they know who put what in which trash can?
- Lukas_Skywalker 10y ago
  Highest fines are for putting plastics/glass/large metals in the roadside bags that are picked up. They usually try to find an address label or similar inside the bag to identify you. For public trash cans: It happens that private security hides around the cans to control. I was once fined about 40 USD for putting paper in the paper bin on sunday at noon. They hid around the corner.
  - in_the_sticks 10y ago
    Could you explain that a bit? Fined for putting paper in the paper bin?
    - Lukas_Skywalker 10y ago
      It's forbidden to put recyclable materials in the public recycling bins on sundays in Switzerland. Mostly because glass shatters loudly. So while cities massively encourage recycling, some laws prevent it on certain days.

kgwgk 10y ago

> no landfills at all, everything is burned Only combustible waste is burned. Landfills are still needed.

abalone 10y ago

The recycling rates are great, but even with perfect filtering there's a serious issue with burning trash. Namely, CO2.

timthorn 10y ago
That's better than methane from letting it decompose in landfill, plus you get energy out.
- abalone 10y ago
  That depends on how much biomass goes to landfill but a good composting/recycling program can sort a lot of that out. Furthermore, landfill methane can be captured and repurposed.[1] Seriously, burning stuff is not good. We need to stop doing that. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill_gas_utilization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill_gas_utilization

ido 10y ago

How do they know who put what in which trash can?

Lukas_Skywalker 10y ago
Highest fines are for putting plastics/glass/large metals in the roadside bags that are picked up. They usually try to find an address label or similar inside the bag to identify you. For public trash cans: It happens that private security hides around the cans to control. I was once fined about 40 USD for putting paper in the paper bin on sunday at noon. They hid around the corner.
- in_the_sticks 10y ago
  Could you explain that a bit? Fined for putting paper in the paper bin?
  - Lukas_Skywalker 10y ago
    It's forbidden to put recyclable materials in the public recycling bins on sundays in Switzerland. Mostly because glass shatters loudly. So while cities massively encourage recycling, some laws prevent it on certain days.