When Jer joined the Air Force, we wanted to experience the world. I have driven across the US many times, and taken many trips I would not have taken had we not moved and lived where we have. When we got orders to Germany, we were ecstatic. We've always wanted to live in a foreign country, and especially Germany. What we didn't bank on, however, was that throwing away our waste would also be a part of the Germany experience. I've put together photos explaining the process so hopefully you can get a feel for what it's like.I'll start with the garbage can on the left. This is the yellow bag or recycle can. The things to put in here are plastics (yogurt cups, plastic bags, shampoo bottles, etc.), metal (metal lids, foil, etc.), and other recyclables, such as styrofoam and milk cartons. These things should be rinsed off and fairly clean before disposal. Most of our waste goes in here. The yellow bags are collected every other week. They are just put on the side of the road.
The second garbage can is for clean paper (has not touched food). That includes newspaper, mail, and cardboard/boxes broken down. Paper is collected once per month. We put it all in a large, blue garbage can stored outside.The third garbage can (the littlest one on the floor) is for glass. All our glass goes in here, then we have to take it to a glass recycle point and sort it by color before depositing it.
The fourth garbage can (the medium blue one) is for electronic scraps. This includes anything with wires or circuit boards. We have broken headphones, an old hand vacuum, and some bad computer parts in there. We have to take these in to special waste dump places, or wait for a truck to come by our town. It is on a schedule and comes by every few months.
The fifth garbage can (the white one) is for residual waste. This includes meat, dirty napkins, textiles, and sweepings. We can just use our regular old garbage bags for this. Residual waste goes in a black garbage can stored outside. It is collected every other week.
The cute little yellow/orange garbage can is for biodegradable waste. In the house, that means food, including fruits and veggies (no meat). We must use a biodegradable garbage bag. We have to buy those off base. The biodegradable waste goes in a large brown container stored outside. This container is also used for grass clippings, branches, etc. This is collected every other week.
If you look at the first picture again closely, to the top right is a halogen bulb. This and batteries are considered hazardous waste and must be taken in to a special waste dump. Some German stores have boxes available to dispose of used batteries. Chemicals (nail polish, household cleansers, etc.) must also be taken to a hazardous waste drop-off.So, you can see why there are labels all over the garbage cans. Although we rarely look at the labels anymore, it was quite confusing when we first got here. It was one of those things that was hard to adjust to. Now it's just a part of life. I don't even think about it anymore.
What was once a thorn in my side is now something I'm thankful for. I am thankful someone comes to pick up my garbage. I'm thankful that we recycle so much and I'm thankful for learning how. I'm thankful for the earth I live on, and I'm glad to share the responsibility to take care of it.
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2 comments:
Holy........ Keep those labels on for when I get there... Or I just won't help prepare any meals so I don't have to figure out where the empty can, glass jar, styrofoam, etc goes. ;) I DO think it's nice that the Germans are so vigilant with their recycling.
Wow I thought our garbage was complicated!
In Rockville we had trash pick up in one container and glass/cans in one container with clean paper in another container once a week. If we had large items like say a mattress we could call for a special pick up and if I remember right a separate one for large metal items. Chemicals and paint and such had to be taken to a special dump near the edge of town.
In Maugansville since we don't live within Hagerstown's city limits we don't get trash pick up. It seems every 3rd house on the street uses a different private trash collection service. Our neighbor across the street use to pick up trash and the recycles but then quit and recommended someone else who only collected trash. So we learned that there are big storage containers stationed around town and thats where the counties recycles (glass cans and clean paper) go. So whenever we get fed up with the recycles in the garage we go and take them to the drop offs. Luckily there are some close by and the only annoying part comes if they are full. I am thankful we don't have to haul our garage away ourselves!
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