Waste Disposal and Recycling — Mülltrennung in Germany

Why Mülltrennung?

Germany is the world champion in recycling — and that's thanks to strict Mülltrennung. As a resident, you are obligated to separate your waste properly. Mülltrennung conserves resources, reduces CO₂ emissions, and saves disposal costs.

In your apartment or house, there are several waste bins ready to use. Which bins you have and how often they are emptied depends on your city and landlord.

Waste Bins Overview

🔵 Blue Bin — Paper and Cardboard

• Newspapers, magazines, catalogs
• Cardboard boxes and packaging
• Books (without plastic covers)
• Envelopes (even with windows)
• Writing paper, school notebooks

DO NOT PUT IN: coated paper, wallpaper, soiled paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes), photos

🟡 Yellow Bin / Yellow Sack — Packaging

• Plastic packaging (yogurt cups, films, bags)
• Drink cartons (Tetra Pak)
• Cans and tinned goods
• Aluminum foil and aluminum containers
• Styrofoam packaging
• Toothpaste tubes

DO NOT PUT IN: toys, CDs, coat hangers, flower pots (only packaging with the Green Dot or similar symbol)

🟤/🟢 Biotonne — Organic Waste

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Eggshells
• Garden waste (leaves, grass, flowers)
• Bread scraps
• Paper towels (unprinted)

DO NOT PUT IN: bones, meat (in many cities), cat litter, compostable plastic bags (not allowed in many cities)

⚫ Restmülltonne — Everything Else

• Cigarette butts
• Diapers and hygiene products
• Vacuum cleaner bags
• Broken porcelain and ceramics
• Photos
• Soiled paper
• Small amounts of ash (cold!)

🟩 Glass Container — Recycled Glass

Glass is separated by color into containers:

• White/clear — clear bottles and glasses
• Green — green bottles and glasses
• Brown — brown bottles and glasses
• Blue or red glass → into the green glass container

DO NOT PUT IN: drinking glasses, window glass, mirrors, ceramics, porcelain, light bulbs

Important: Glass containers have deposit hours (usually Mon–Sat, 7–8 PM). On Sundays and at night, you cannot deposit glass!

The Deposit System (Pfand)

Germany has a deposit system for beverage containers:

How Does It Work?

1. You buy a beverage and pay the deposit at the register
2. You take the empty bottle/can to the deposit machine in the supermarket
3. You receive a receipt that is credited at the register

Tip: You can recognize the deposit symbol on the bottle. Not all bottles have deposits — e.g., wine, juice in glass bottles, and spirits are often deposit-free.

Bulk Waste (Sperrmüll)

For large items that don't fit in bins, there is Sperrmüll:

• Furniture (cabinets, sofas, beds, tables)
• Mattresses
• Carpets
• Large household appliances (washing machine, refrigerator) — often separate pickup!

How Does Bulk Waste Pickup Work?

1. Schedule a pickup — online, by phone, or via form with your waste management company
2. Prepare bulk waste — on the agreed date in front of your house (at the curb)
3. Pickup — the waste management company collects the items

Costs: In many cities, bulk waste pickup is free 1–2× per year. After that or for larger quantities: €20–100 per pickup.

Alternatives

• Recycling center / Wertstoffhof — You bring items yourself (often free)
• eBay Kleinanzeigen — give away or sell usable furniture
• Social thrift store — donates well-maintained furniture to those in need

Electronic Waste (E-Waste)

Electronic devices must NOT go in household trash:

• Smartphones, tablets, laptops
• Cables, chargers
• Toaster, blender, hair dryer
• Energy-saving bulbs, LED lamps
• Batteries and accumulators

Where to Take Them?

• Recycling center — free disposal
• Electronics stores — stores with 400+ m² of floor space must accept small old devices (under 25 cm) for free
• Supermarkets — since 2022, also accept small electronic devices (from 800+ m² sales area)
• Batteries — collection boxes in every supermarket and drugstore

Common Mistakes

1. Pizza boxes in the blue bin — No! Greasy paper goes in Restmülltonne
2. Diapers in Biotonne — No! Restmülltonne
3. Deposit bottles in glass container — You're losing money! Take them to the machine
4. Electronic devices in household trash — Forbidden! Take them to recycling center or store
5. Leaving trash next to the bin — Possible fine (€10–€5,000, depending on city)

Waste Disposal Costs

As a tenant, you pay waste fees through utility costs. They depend on:

• Bin size (120 l, 240 l, 1,100 l)
• Emptying frequency (weekly, every two weeks)
• City/municipality

Typical costs: €150–400/year per household (included in utility costs).

Daily Tips

• Small trash cans in the kitchen — one for Restmülltonne, one for packaging, one for bio
• Paper bag for Biotonne — prevents odor and moisture
• Collect deposit bottles — it's worthwhile, especially at €0.25 per bottle
• Use an app — many cities have a waste disposal app with emptying dates and waste guides

Status: March 2026. All information without guarantee.