Learning about Garbage in Switzerland

 A co-worker got a $400 (yes $400) fine for dumping her garbage in the wrong place.  The Swiss have a very distinct way of dumping garbage and recycling to encourage less waste.

First you must buy a special garbage bag specific to your Canton (town).  Our temp apartment came with 3 so we have yet to buy them but they are very expensive ($1.95 each to deter excessive dumping).  Fits 35 liters (which is a lot for a little bag that goes under the sink but we jam as much as possible into it.  What a pity we brought a ton of gigantic Hefty garbage bags from the states, we'll have to bring them home.

The first time I dumped the recycling I came back with full bags because I didn't know were to dump each thing (PET, glass, paper, compost, etc)

These garbage/recycling bins look like dividers that come up and down when you enter a secure garage or street so I didn't realize these were the garbage dumps.

We are learning to compost our pineapple and orange skins.  Actually we have made more gaw pee (dried orange rind) than we ever have in our life.  Flavors everything (soup, jook, etc).  Making use of everything and trying to avoid a fine.  In some areas there is a security camera that flashes your picture as you dump garbage to insure you are dumping in the right place.  Yes, there is a garbage police here and they go through your garbage to find your address!