Does this look familiar?

I don’t like to admit this, but I spend a lot of time looking at trash. And thinking about trash. Where to store it, where it goes, and that is just at home. On a daily basis I find myself spending time staring at the trash and recycling bins at my office, too. This environmental beast of do-good-ed-ness, otherwise known as the “rydde stasjon”, baffles not just me, but many a foreigner. I know because I have seen you staring at it too!

Each rydde stasjon has rules of its own, with a different labeling system, and categorization for accepting and collecting your leftover garbage. There are several ways to say the same thing, so it is no wonder things are going in the wrong places. Sometimes “tørkeservietter” is allowed, and others it says “tøy”. But both are the same thing!

It is more complicated than this

It helps to peek in!

Some are labeled with pictures, which is sadly, pitifully helpful. Others have detailed lists attached to them. When in doubt, one can peer over the edge and inspect the contents before deciding where that empty juice box should be placed. Otherwise you can learn a few key recycling phrases:

Papir:This one is easy -any paper products!

Resavfall: Garbage that does not meet the criterium for any of the other bins

Matavfall: Food waste

Plastikkembalasje: Plastic packaging

Bestikk: Not garbage, but your reusable fork, knife or spoon.

This is another story