Norway's capital has been described recently as one of the trashiest cities in Europe. Most city streets are dotted with litter, and the problem seems to be growing worse.
No one agrees on who is responsible. City officials have scolded local citizens for being careless and dropping their garbage on sidewalks and streets. A storm of phone calls and e-mail to Aftenposten, however, left citizens blaming the officials for not providing enough garbage cans around town, and for not emptying those that are on streetcorners often enough.
Warm weather last week also exacerbated the problem, resulting in countless ice cream bar wrappings, portable grills and soft drink cups being dropped onto the ground.
The public debate that finally heated up this week has nonetheless borne fruit. Garbage collectors and the city road agency have gotten a clear message not to cut corners on their work after all.
The officials are also calling on fast-foot stands and retailers selling food in disposable containers to take their share of responsibility and keep the area around their outlets clean.
Some politicians, meanwhile, are considering proposing that extra taxes be paid on disposable containers, to pay for the extra garbage they generate.
Aftenposten Interactive English Desk
Nina Berglund
