We (germans) also seperate everything personally. If I understood the article right there is just one blue bin where you put everything recycable in?

Here we have: Blue bin for paper Yellow bin for packages (plastic...and aluminium? I think) Extra Container for glass, white and green/brown) Green bin for organics. Black bin for anything else.

Beer bottles, plastic bottles and cans don't get thrown out at all, you pay a fee during purchase and get it back when you return the empty ones to a store.

What goes into the yellow bin and what doesn't is a highly controversial point of discussion in any home.