We Recycle . . . In Germany

I am so impressed with the recycling program in Germany. They recycle EVERYTHING! When we first got here, I practically had an anxiety attack every time I needed to throw something away, because I couldn't figure out where to put it! But I think I have figured it out now. We bought this nifty garbage can to help us separate some of our garbage. The yellow container is for all of our recyclables, except paper and glass. We actually recycle plastic bags, plastic wrap, foil, cans -- everything. The black bag is for what is called Restmulle, which is whatever cannot be recycled. Most of what ends up in there is diapers. The green container in the front of the garbage can is for our compost. Everyone composts here. If they don't use it themselves, there is a separate dumpster outside for it, and the garbage collectors take it all and compost it. We have two separate containers for glass and paper. At the end of the week, we only have a small bag of Restmulle. It is amazing to see how little we really need to throw away, and how much we can reuse.