Yes, Germans guests recycle automatically as do the English. So far, not our Irish guests!
We were intrigued by the open recycling boxes in the UK where everyone could see if you had got it right and our host's 4 year old who explained 'How to do it'. She was surprised that Aussies understood.
However, although we don't have bin police yet, it is frustrating when there are instructions in our letter, official notices on the fridge with the main reasons to separate rubbish. Yet, recyclables with food, in a tightly tied plastic bag, are flung into the landfill bin.
Occasionally a gem of a guest really tries to join us in separating food for worms and compost.
We produce aluminium here but ancient trees are felled to access it and it is expensive to mine, yet so easy to recycle.
It must seem weird but we try to explain our water is safe to drink so there is no need to buy water.