Can someone please let me know what is the garbage disposal system in oerlikon? What is the difference between the Black bags and the white bags

As far as i understand it, the black bags cost next to nothing and get you a fine. The white bags cost a franc each, and do not incur a fine.

fundoovish - I'm guessing you are new to Zurich and/or Switzerland. Oerlikon is part of the town of Zurich and as such follows their rules for rubbish. Rather than thinking that the black bags will earn you a fine, think of the black bags being used for other purposes other than disposing of your rubbish (for example packing your clothes).

In town-Zurich, like many parts of Switzerland there is a user-pays system for rubbish. You pay for what you throw away. This is administered in the form of having to buy only the official white bags to throw away your rubbish. Where I live I can use black bags, but I have to buy and stick on little stickers to show that it's been paid for. Only official bags will be collected, and if you try anything different expect to incur the wrath of your neighbours and/or the authorities. It's not so bad once you get used to it

It goes without saying therefore that recycling cardboard and paper will save you money, but they do have to bundled up with string prior to collection...

I have to say, when I first arrived I was horrified at the idea of paying a chuff per bag. But as Mark says, I got used to it. I actually think it's a good idea now, since you pay based on volume of your rubbish.

I must be getting Swissified

Having just paid 20 Francs for 10 bags.......I also will have to watch the volume of my garbage .....ugghss

Tip: cardboard and paper recycling is free, you just have to put it out on the correct day (check the calendar). This saves you money. Ever seen the Swiss leaving all their packaging behind when they buy something? Now you know why...

Most interesting this. Your local town hall will also most likely have a recycling centre that will take away metal, polystyrene, animal cadavers and many other things... If you go to the town hall generally you can also request a rubbish calendar which gives you the days when certain items such as Christmas trees will be removed.

Interestingly this pay per bag scheme is now being introduced in parts of the UK and retired in parts of Switzerland

It seems to be different between Gemeindes, errrr Communes.

In my local one, you can take paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium and steel to a local recycling centre (Sammelstelle) during working hours Mon-Sat, except Wednesdays (to be awkward I guess).

No need to put it out on certain days and there are quite a few collection centres around.

Gav

Most, er, "local government" web sites have details of recycling.

Zurich town: http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/internet/erz/home.html
Kloten: http://www.kloten.ch/de/verwaltung/d...dienst_id=7891

etc

And top of the list of documents from kloten you could download was their rubbish calendar which is really most useful and I forgot to mention states where you can get rid of things too. Oerlikon correct me if I am wrong belongs to Zuerich doesn't it. So the first link should give you all the info you need and you can of course go to any recycling centre in the city not just the nearest one.

Good links, though they are in German. To be honest I was a little surprised given the sheer number of English-speakers within the town itself that at least the recycling calendar wouldn't be available in English. Quite a few new arrivals do make (rather costly!) mistakes with the rubbish, but I could fully understand if a new arrival turned around and pleaded ignorance when being sent to rubbish info which is all in German. I'm not expecting the entire website to be in English, but maybe one or two important documents. After all, the English-speakers do contribute a very impressive amount of tax revenue to the town of Zurich, surely the deserve a small amount of resouces to be allocated for the translation of one or two important documents.

100 francs plus MwSt when you get it wrong.

Ask colleagues who can speak German.
And buy cakes after you've spent 2 months bugging them to tranalste everything..

Or put the 100 franc fine money into a "cake fund"

Seriously, a small brochure, given to new arrivals when they register at their local government office wouldn't be a bad thing would it? Isn't 40% (or higher) of town Zurich foreign? Even an a4 sheet, in English, with the important rules wouldn't go astray would it? Most new arrivals I know of are completely unaware of the garbage politics...

I got an entire welcome book when I arrived in Zollikon. It was all in German but I already spoke German at that point. Zollikon is only 10% dirty foreigners. We are reminded each year in the newspaper when the statistics come out.

Sunny Kloten is 27%, and our welcome pack is also in German.
Although, we did get a free rubbish sack...

What no free earplugs? (note to other readers, Kloten is where the airport is located, as well as being very close to the german word Klo, meaning toilet)

Sorry gbn

The Dutch have a word Klooten. It's much more funny than English people giggling at Ausfa[h]rt

No apologies required. I'm resigned to it.
But hey, cheap rent and... er... that's it he he he

In Bern you get a brochure in German but can download it in twelve languages on the internet. Zurich must have a similar thing

If I remember correctly, you can also enter your mobile number above and they'll send you reminders a day before collection.

~ Nanda