Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 44 to 50.
The citizens of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse take their recycling very seriously. So much so that there is even a collection point at the recycling depot for dead animals. Located in the south-western state of Rheinland-Pfalz, the mediaeval town of Neustadt boasts the best recycling rates in Germany.
The reason for Neustadt's success is simple, says Stefan Weiss, one of the town’s waste managers. 'It's all about providing financial incentives and education. Citizens aren't charged anything for the recycled waste they leave out. And the less non-recycled waste you put out, the less you pay.”
When it comes to recycling, householders are asked to sort their items and bag them into three groupings: paper / cardboard; glass; and plastics/ foils/cans. Compost bins are provided by the local council for those with gardens to dispose of organic waste.
Back at the recycling depot, Stefan Weiss moves on to the subject of enforcement. 'In theory, we have the power to fine people if they don't sort their waste. But we never actually do this because it costs too much to investigate. And we just don't have an issue with illegal dumping or 'flytipping' because we make the system so cheap and easy to use.”
A car towing a trailer full of construction waste pulls up at 45 the weigh-station by the entrance gate. Weiss wanders over to inspect the contents. "This weighs about half a tonne. It will cost €270 to dump it as it is. Or if it is sorted by the car owner into separate types of waste-timber, paper, plasterboard, etc., it will cost him just €17. That, in summary, is our system. We provide a major incentive to recycle.”
(Adapted from Next Generation)
