for residential use: 

disgusting...or good?

they will be doing a "test run" of clear garbage bags somewhere in my area in a couple months.  its intended to reduce the amount of recyclables and compost (as we have a composting program as well) in the trash.  id assume there could be a fine to go with it or a refusal of pick up, as otherwise it would be pointless.

i think reducing the amount of waste and trying to recycle as much as possible is good...but this is gross.

I'd say gross. Who wants to see a used condom next to a rotting cabbage?

What does clear garbage bags have to do with recycling? Is it that your community has mandatory recycling regulations which force you to use clear bags for inspection purposes?

Gross. No one wants to see your trash.

they will be doing a "test run" of clear garbage bags somewhere in my area in a couple months.  its intended to reduce the amount of recyclables and compost (as we have a composting program as well) in the trash.  id assume there could be a fine to go with it or a refusal of pick up, as otherwise it would be pointless.   they say they want a "70% diversion of waste by the end of 2010" (we are at 44% atm apparently)

It's necessary for businesses. They need to make sure people aren't putting valuables in the trash that they can pick up later out back. It's especially prevelant in retail.

So, clear garbage, what does that mean exactly? That you split it up between compost and non-degredable ones?

The only problem we have here now is that we can't put garbage down at the road too early (so you have to get up early everu time you want to put the garbage out). I'm not lying when I tell you that inspectors actually rummage through your garbage to find any info on your adress and you can get fined later on...