Why is Recycling So Popular in Austria?

I just finished reading through an OECD Environmental Performance Review of Austria that was produced during 2001-2002. It essentially was a report card for how the country was doing and gave 44 recommendations on how they could become even stronger in the environmental record.

During our time in Austria it was brought up that Austrians are very aware of recycling. In Vienna when the excess trash gets thrown away it gets taken to the incinerator (which has a scrubber) and that powers the majority of the city.

The OECD report states that in 1989 Austria levied a tax on the use of landfills which created a huge disincentive for individuals, especially businesses to dump trash. It might have taken upwards of 20 years to have achieved its full benefit but it was certainly a wise decision. In restaurants we were served water in glass bottles. While that might have been simply the best option to buy, I have a hunch it was a glass bottle because its easier to recycle, rather then plastic, which in the United States and other places we often enjoy.

Source: http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/6/50/19631516.pdf