The Art of Garbage

Now one of the first things that really changed us already was garbage. The rules here around garbage are so extraordinary, that if this system was implemented in the US it would change the country overnight. What could possibly change the way you think about garbage? Well, let me explain...

First, food here is really expensive. Eric was notorious at home that if he wasn't in the mood for leftovers, he would eat what he wanted and throw the left overs away. Here, with basic meat for a meal costing $30 or more, you can virtually see little $$ on each bite. We are getting used to the prices slowly (Sue will probably go crazy next time she is in a supermarket in the States), but it still makes you cautious to eat everything. The other reason you don't want to throw it away is...

Here in Switzerland, you do not have a monthly fee for garbage service - you pay for every bag. In Basel you actually pay 2 CHF (about $2) for each special garbage bag (the little kitchen size bags) - here in the suburbs you can buy plain old trash bags, but you have to put these tax coupon stickers on each bag. So even though at home you pay a monthly fee that probably adds up to about the same, when you put that sticker on the bag, you are completely concious of the money you are spending to throw things away - so you do everything you can to not throw things away. There is less packaging that comes with food, so that helps. I think in the first week we actually only used one bag - much less than we would use at home. In the US when you have a whole garbage can to fill, you don't even think about it. Heck, if you make more than your can full, you go to the neighbors and borrow some space from their can - not here, no way.

And that brings us to recycling. Obviously, with the concern here about garbage, recycling is a big deal, too. Now in the US they come to your house and pick up the recycling - it is probably the only way we would actually do it. Here, remember, you don't want it in your trash because you would have to pay more - so they don't come to you - you have to bring it to recycling "stations" around the city. It isn't quite clear what to do, as each recycling station may only take some things - glass only, no plastic; glass and cans, plastic bottles only. So we have had a pile building up in the kitchen, that once in a while gets smaller when Eric can find a place to take those things - inevitably some things come back home as we can't find the place to drop them off.

The best, though, was the recycling section in the "Welcome to Basel" book we got from the relocation people when we got here. They have 5 full pages of items listed in alphabetical order, so you can read where to take it. Quite handy, and useful to figure out where everything can go. It covers the gamut, from electronic equipment, to car tires to the basics like glass and plastic bottles. But the best part of the directory was the added commentary regarding how you should lead your life - let me give you some of the best examples (word for word - no editing on my part):

Cans: Try to buy seasonal fruits and vegetables as much as possible. Take cans ot the metal collection or give them to the metal collector.

Battery Recycling: When possible use carbon zinc batteries. Avoid alkali/manganese batteries - they contain more mercury. Purchase rechargeable batteries and a recharger. Also consider a plug in AC/DC adapter or charger to use with appliances. Return old batteries to the store.

Disposable Diapers: In the garbage, never the WC. Here is another case where avoiding the use of something is better than disposing of it. The routine use of disposable diapers on most babies today is one of the major causes of hte growing refuse problem. Cloth diapers, while intensive in terms of human energy are still cost effective and environmentally friendly.

Wow, think what disposable diapers costs in terms of garbage tax coupons!