h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

While in Galway last year we witnessed the start of the twenty-first century's approach to garbage; Galway City instituted a wide-ranging recycling programme, where every bit of plastic, metal, paper, glass and compostable refuse is separated by the householders and recycled, leaving only a very small amount of non-recyclable rubbish to be dealt with in the traditional manner.

I noticed that when I was there in October last year.
We in Australia have this system up an running for some time. The councils have competitions on who can receive the most recycled.
For instance wood chipping is sold for gardens and glass is recycled into glass to the manufacturers, while paper is made from pulp and sugar cane juice.Not to forget recyclable plastics we place a tag saying recyclable so we can get to recgnise what there after.
Its very lucrative business, if its run right.
The Garbage trucks make special trips regularly.
You can find a tally sign on the side of the street notifying how much is made in each council shire.