Ultimate Guide to Waste Separation And Recycling in Germany
Without a doubt, separating trash and recycling in Germany is a daunting challenge for new visitors and residents. Even for native Germans, it’s a complicated process that requires some critical thinking skills.
Germany is one of the best recycling countries in the world and rated #1 here with about 56% of all waste being recycled. The United States for reference is under 35%.
Germany’s recycling system is set up in a way that all waste is sorted from leaving the household and is then recycled at specific locations. This leads to a very small amount of trash that will make its way to a general trash heap and thus minimize the amount of pollutants that will enter the air, water supply, or food supply.
Waste separation in Germany (called: Mülltrennung) is like a fine art and is very comprehensive and strict. To avoid being scolded by your neighbors, authorities or being fined (yes, that’s right!), it is important to study up on how to recycle and separate your trash in Germany and why.
We’ve built this comprehensive article about sorting trash and recycling in Germany to help clear up some confusion and guide your way to being an expert in the German recycling system.
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Please double check with your local municipality’s waste management (Abfallwirtschaft) for separating of trash in Germany if you are unsure of any specific items. Although we have tried to sort and explain items to the best of our ability, some rules may differ across different regions of Germany.
SPECIAL TYPES OF TRASH RECYCLING IN GERMANY
GLASS RECYCLING CONTAINERS
Recycling Glass in Germany
Glass recycling in Germany is done with with white (Weiß), green (Grün), and brown (Braun) containers. These containers are located throughout the city and found on your town’s resource website.
As expected, clear glass goes in the white container, brown glass goes in the brown container and green glass goes in the green container. Glass bottles should all be taken here unless they have a pfand (deposit.)
Remember to consider quiet hours and quiet days when recycling glass in Germany. It is not allowed on Sundays, holidays, or during quiet hours (Ruhezeiten). The glass containers will tell you when it’s allowed in your specific city.
Accepted:
Non-Refundable (Pfand) glass bottles (beer and wine for example)
Mason jars – Metal cap must go in yellow bin or yellow sack
Perfume bottles
Vinegar and oil bottles
Not Accepted:
Filled containers → They must be clean and empty without a cap → Otherwise gray trash bin
Ceramics → Gray Bin
Broken glass → Gray bin
Drinking glasses → Gray bin
Christmas ornaments → Gray bin
Light bulbs → Gray bin (check your local rules!) and special recycling
Crystal → Gray trash bin
LEERGUTAUTOMAT FOR PFAND
What is Pfand?
Germany has a nationwide recycling program for single and multi-use plastics and glass drinking bottles called the Pfandsystem, which means ‘deposit system’ in English. ‘Pfand’ in English translates to ‘deposit’ and it is paid to any retailer which you purchase your beverage from.
When you’re done with the bottle, simply return it and get your deposit back! But how do you know which bottles are part of the Pfandsystem? How much are they worth? And how do I properly recycle them? We’ve answered all you need to know to understand pfand in Germany in this specific detailed article.
Shoes and Clothes Recycling in Germany
Trying to throw away your old clothes in Germany? Donate them! There are numerous locations in German towns which will happily accept your gently-used old clothing and shoes.
These locations typically have metal recycling bins which you can open and throw in your used clothing. Be sure these are still usable and not torn or severely worn; as those should go in the gray/black trash bin.
Check out your city’s waste management (Abfallwirtschaft) website to find exactly where they are. Simply Google ‘your city name + Abfallwirtschaft’ to find the page you need.
Bulky Items (Sperrmüll) Including Furniture
Anything that does not fit and/or does not meet the requirements of the designated trash bins in Germany is considered bulky waste (Sperrmüll). There are several ways to dispose of your large and bulky waste in Germany.
If your bulky items are still usable, make a free ad on Ebay-Kleinanzeigen to give it away (zu verschenken).
If your large item is scrap, search for a scrap collector (entsorgung) on Ebay-Kleinanzeigen to pick it up for free or a fee.
Your city will also pick up and collect large items for a fee. Search your local city’s waste management (Abfallwirtschaft) website for your specific information. You must call or email the local garbage service and they will tell you the date at which your large items can be picked up. The night before you will place your items on the street. Unfortunately in Germany, this often leads to a mess with people sorting through garbage and loading it into their cars for resale. So, be prepared.
Some cities, such as our hometown of Freiburg im Breisgau, include one large trash pickup in the yearly standard price. Simply go to the website and find where to sign up. You will need to list every single item which will be picked up, because multiple trash vehicles may come to get it.
It is also common in Germany that people misuse the system and place their items on the curb without notifying the trash authorities. This leads to garbage sitting on the streets for weeks at a time. This can lead to a fine of up to 2,500EUR!
Here are several German city websites to help with bulky item pickup:
LIGHT BULB AND BATTERY RECYCLING AT DM
Light Bulb Recycling in Germany
Older style household incandescent light bulbs may go in the gray/black trash bins, not the glass recycling bins.
Halogen, metal halide, neon, LED, fluorescent and energy saving light bulbs must not go in the household trash bin (gray/black) in Germany. In the landfill harmful gases and materials will escape and pollute the environment. Proper recycling of these items will allow disassembly and reuse of some of the materials.
Light bulbs in Germany can be recycled at your city’s recycling yard, local collection points and at at your local hardware store:
Go here to find a list of collection points in Germany for light bulbs.
OBI → Accepts energy saving lamps, fluorescent tubes or LED light bulbs.
Bauhaus → Accepts energy saving lamps, fluorescent tubes or LED light bulbs.
Hornbach → Accepts energy saving lamps, fluorescent tubes or LED light bulbs.
You may also find light bulb recycling points at DM, REWE and Aldi. They may differ by location.
Batteries
No types of batteries can be thrown into the trash in Germany. They contain valuable materials that can be collected and reused in the recycling process. They must be taken to your city’s local recycling center or taken to these locations:
Saturn → Household batteries → Most stores have a battery recycling bin near the entrance/exit.
MediaMarkt → Household batteries → Most stores have a battery recycling bin near the entrance/exit.
OBI → Household batteries → Accepts car and household batteries and rechargeable batteries, bring to the materials return department
Bauhaus → Household batteries → Accepts car and household batteries and rechargeable batteries, bring to the materials return department
DM → Household batteries → Most stores have a battery recycling bin near the entrance/exit.
REWE→ Household batteries → Most stores have a battery recycling bin near the entrance/exit.
Lidl → Household batteries → Most stores have a battery recycling bin near the entrance/exit.
Aldi → Household batteries → Most stores have a battery recycling bin near the entrance/exit.
Car batteries have a pfand of 7.50EUR, which means you will get your money back upon return. OBI, Bauhaus and A.T.U locations can accept them.
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING CONTAINER
Electronics
Any device which uses electricity is considered an electronic device. The general rule is, if you see this symbol on your device, it cannot go in the trash bin:
These must be taken to specific locations for proper recycling. Incorrect disposal of an electronic device in Germany will lead to a fine. To look for a German electronic recycling location near you, go here and put in your zip code. Here are the common non-city sponsored locations:
Saturn: → Old devices with maximum 25cm edge length can be dropped off in store for free. Non-permanent batteries must be removed, but can be recycled separately here too. Be sure to delete all personal information from the devices before returning!
OBI: OBI allows the disposal of electronic devices.
MediaMarkt: → Old devices with maximum 25cm edge length can be dropped off in store for free. Non-permanent batteries must be removed, but can be recycled separately here too. Be sure to delete all personal information from the devices before returning!
Bauhaus → Bauhaus allows the disposal of multiple electronic devices, click here to see specifically what is allowed.
Used Appliances and Large Electronic Devices
If your bulky items are still usable, make a free ad on Ebay-Kleinanzeigen to give it away (zu verschenken).
You should also search for a local zu verschenken (give away) Facebook group designated to your city. This is a very quick and easy way to get rid of old electronics and appliances!
If your large item is non-functional and scrap, search for a scrap collector (entsorgung) on Ebay-Kleinanzeigen to pick it up for free or a fee.
MediaMarkt, Saturn and Bauhaus can collect and recycle your old oversized electronic devices and appliances if you buy a new one.
Your city will also pick up and collect large items for a fee. Search your local municipalities waste management (Abfallwirtschaft) website for your specific information. Here are several German city websites to help with large appliances pickup:
Paint and Lacquer Recycling
Paint and lacquer cannot be thrown in the trash in Germany. These can be taken to your local recycling center or to some hardware stores. It is important to recycle these properly as they will be incinerated in a controlled environment which has the gases filtered.
Used Automotive Oils and Fluids
To recycle used engine oil in Germany for free, all you need is a receipt of purchase of the same quantity of engine oil and return the oil back to where you purchased it. A.T.U. is a common location for return of engine oil, especially if you purchase the engine oil from Amazon.
OBI can also recycle used oil. Bring it to the material returns department.
Corks
Let your love for wine continue long after your glass has gone empty. Glass bottle corks must be recycled in Germany and not thrown in the gray/black/green/blue bins. These are processed into environmentally friendly insulation materials as well as for heating. Your city will have several recycling locations but you may also find these recycling points at grocery stores, which can differ by location.
Christmas Trees
Throwing away Christmas trees in Germany comes on a scheduled date in each municipality’s trash calendar (Abfallkalender). Check the calendar date and then leave the tree outside the night before. It is important to note there are usually size restrictions, so be prepared to cut the tree down into sections.
Other Hazardous Waste
Other hazardous waste must be taken directly to your city’s recycling center. Check your city’s local waste management (Abfallwirtschaft) website to learn what is allowed and where to take it.
Trash & Recycling Bins in Germany
For the most part, the colors of trash and recycling bins in Germany are fairly constant throughout the country. However you will see some differences in colors in different regions. In some cases, the can and the top might be different. The top is the most important color to reference. We have sorted these trash separation bins below and listed what general waste is accepted and not accepted.
GREEN RECYCLING BIN
Green/Blue Trash Bins in Germany – Paper
The green and blue trash bins in Germany are for paper and cardboard. In some cities you will find dedicated trash containers on the street for extra large cardboard shipping boxes.
Here are some examples of waste in Germany that can go in the green and blue bins:
Accepted:
Newspapers
Egg cartons
Magazines
Corrugated cardboard
Letters and envelopes
Shipping cardboard (folded)
Books
Bubble envelopes
Not Accepted:
Drink cartons → Yellow sack/bin
Paper towels → Black/gray bin
Carbon paper → Black/gray bin
Dirty/grease pizza boxes → Black/gray bin
Parchment paper → Black/gray bin
Photos → Black/gray bin
BROWN BIOTONNE RECYCLING BIN
Brown Trash Bins in Germany – Biodegradable (Biomüll – Biotonne)
Gardeners will be familiar with the concept of composting. And in Germany, this is encouraged through the use of a residential Bio- trash bin. This brown trash bin is filled with content that will eventually be turned to compost.
Accepted:
Fruits and vegetables
Other food waste
Egg shells
Coffee grounds and coffee filters
Flowers
Yard waste (grass, leaves, trimmings, etc.)
Potting soil
Not Accepted:
Non-biodegradable materials
Plastics → Yellow bin/sack
Metals → Yellow bin/sack or special recycling
Glass → Glass containers or gray/black bin
Dog poo in non-biodegradable bags → Gray/black bin
Dirt → Gray/black bin
Ashes → Gray/black bin
A big question we had when moving here was; what bags can I use for bio waste in Germany to keep the trash cans clean? There are several options available, here is what we use:
GELBERSACK FOR RECYCLING
Yellow/Orange Recycling Bins/Sacks in Germany – Plastic (Verpackung)
The yellow sack (Gelbersack), yellow trash bin, or orange trash bin (depending on your city) are for soft metal, plastics and coated papers. Anything with a green dot (Der Grüne Punkt). All trash containers must be emptied and clean, moldy food is not allowed. Clean them out or dispose of them in the gray/black bin.
Not Accepted:
Filled or dirty bottles/containers → Clean them → Otherwise gray bin
Where to find a yellow sack (Gelbersack) in Germany? You can find them at any grocery store for free, simply ask for one at the checkout counter. These yellow sacks are found in Southern Germany instead of the yellow trash bins.
GRAY/BLACK TRASH CONTAINER RESTMÜLL
Gray/black Trash Bins in Germany – (Restmüll) Everything Else
All waste that cannot be recycled belongs in the gray/back residual waste bin. For those living in a busy area, it is recommended to buy a lock for your bin (~50 EUR). It opens automatically when unloaded. The volume and pickup rate for this container is dependent on how much you want to pay. You can have it picked up once a week or every other week. The prices for the black trash bin can rise significantly with change to larger sizes.
Accepted:
Everything that does not fit above criteria
Respirators/Face Masks → Gray/black bin
Parchment paper → Gray/black bin
Bicycle Tires → Black/gray bin
Lighter → Black/gray bin
Rags/cleaning clothes → Black/gray bin
Facial tissues → Black/gray bin
Bandages → Black/gray bin
Diapers→ Black/gray bin
Rubber parts → Black/gray bin
Dog waste bag → Black/gray bin
Not Accepted:
Hazardous material
Everything shown above
UNIQUE WASTE ITEMS IN GERMANY – WHERE DOES IT GO?
Got a speciality use item that you aren’t sure how to dispose of properly? Here are some unexpected examples of sorting waste in Germany:
CD/DVD/Cassettes → These must be taken to your local recycling center
Duvets → Recycling center
Printer cartridge → Recycling center
Stain remover → Recycling center
Cat and small animal litter → Black/gray/brown bin
Cleaning supplies → Recycling center
Death of an animal→ Contact veterinarian (Tierarzt)
OTHER IMPORTANT TRASH TOPICS IN GERMANY
Trash Calendars (Abfallkalender)
Each German city will have their own dedicated trash calendar (Abfallkalender). Typically these come in the mail at the start of the new calendar year. But if you have misplaced yours, simply Google ‘your city name + Abfallkalender’ and you should be able to find it.
The pickup date for your trash can also be found on this calendar. It is important to point out that during holiday weeks your pickup date will probably be shifted to the day before or the day after. This calendar will say exactly what the day will be and which items will be picked up.
Recycling and Trash Fines in Germany
If you’ve made it this far into the article, it has become apparent that the recycling and sorting of trash in Germany is quite comprehensive and strict. To ensure this process is handled correctly, Germany has (unsurprisingly) a comprehensive list of fines for those who do not follow these rules. This ranges from 5 EUR to 1,500 EUR. Go here to see a list of all fines related to trash and recycling in Germany.
No Overfilled Gray Bins!
In some German towns, there are rules against overfilled trash containers. On the day of pickup, the trash lid must be closed otherwise it will not be collected. If you cannot close the lid due to excessive trash, you must buy a chargeable trash bag to set alongside it. This is done to prevent trash overflow on the street and so that the excess waste is not paid for by the rest of the public.
TIPS FOR REDUCING TRASH IN GERMANY
Separating trash and recycling in Germany is complicated even for Germans. It’s done to reduce our impact on our planet and environment. The natural best path to take is to limit trash in general. Here are several rules you can take out of the German playbook to limit your impact:
Bring reusable bags
Bring reusable egg cartons
Go to farmer’s markets
Bring tupperware containers to farmer’s markets
Don’t buy pre-packaged produce
Don’t use individual sacks/bags for produce
Only buy what you need
Buy drinks that require a deposit (pfand) so they can be cleaned and reused
