Waste Disposal and Bottle Deposit
In Germany, waste is strictly separated, and the rules can vary from municipality to municipality, depending on the respective disposal processes and technologies. Adherence to these rules is very important. If waste is sorted incorrectly, disposal services may not be able to collect it and could refuse pickup. You can find a detailed explanation at the link; we have summarized the most important points for you here on our website. Thank you for your assistance in proper waste separation!
Blue bin
PAPER
Cardboard boxes, paper, and newspapers belong in the blue waste paper collection bin. Receipts and greasy pizza boxes do not belong in the waste paper collection bin. They must be disposed of in the residual waste.rden.
Yellow bin
RECYCLING
Plastic, aluminum, or tinplate packaging, milk cartons, beverage cans, food cans, and similar items. Dispose of waste loosely. This means removing the lid from the packaging and not stacking anything inside each other. This is the only way to ensure proper recycling.
Brown bin
BIO
Organic waste belongs in the brown or green organic waste bin. This includes fruit and vegetable scraps and other kitchen waste such as meat and bread scraps. Compostable plastic bags do not belong in the brown bin. They take two to three months to decompose.
Black bin
RESIDUAL
Anything that can no longer be reused or recycled ends up in residual waste, such as diapers, cigarettes and ashes, dishes, etc. This waste is incinerated and represents the greatest burden. It also incurs the highest disposal costs for us.
Glass packaging for food, beverages, medicines, and cosmetics must be disposed of in public glass containers. The nearest one is located behind the building on the corner of Lindenhofplatz and Rennershofstrasse. If a glass jar does not match the color of one of the containers for white, brown, or green glass, it should be disposed of in the container for green glass. Always unscrew the lids from glass jars and dispose of them in the yellow container. This saves energy during recycling. The nearest glass container is located behind the building at the corner of Rennershofstraße and Lindenhofplatz.
In addition to everyday household waste, special and hazardous waste is sometimes generated. These must be disposed of separately. Whether waste must be disposed of as bulky waste, at a recycling center, or at a hazardous waste landfill depends on the product in question. Do not dispose of the following in household waste: batteries, electrical appliances, clothing, and other textiles, furniture. Electrical waste must be taken back by electrical retailers and online shops. This means that online retailers are responsible for disposal.
Please let us know if you have any special waste to dispose of.
How does the German packaging deposit system work?
No one really knows.
You pay a deposit for certain bottles. When you return the empty bottle, you get your deposit back. The empty bottles are then reused or recycled. Understanding the deposit system is an important but not always logical part of waste separation in Germany.
Look at the label on the bottle. Some bottles have deposit logos, while others use text. The logo or text is often located near the barcode.
If a store sells deposits, it also accepts deposits. A store is not allowed to accept container types that it does not sell. Aldi and Lidl, for example, only sell disposable bottles, so they do not accept returnable bottles. The reverse vending machines are usually located near the entrance or at the back of the store. The machine prints out a coupon. You must take this coupon to the checkout to get your money back.
DEPOSIT 25 cents
Bottles and packaging marked with this symbol are subject to a 25-cent deposit. They are accepted by any store that sells them, often with deposit return machines. They are collected and recycled.
Typical single-use beverages in cans and plastic bottles include: canned beer, beer mix drinks, soft drinks (carbonated and non-carbonated), fruit juices, vegetable juices, fruit nectars, energy drinks, alcopops, milk, and milk mix drinks in plastic bottles.
REUSABLE DEPOSIT 15 cents
The symbol for returnable deposits is not a standardised, mandatory symbol, but there are various indications that refer to returnable bottles. Reusable packaging can often be recognized by the words “reusable” or “reusable deposit bottle.”
The following beverages in plastic and glass bottles have a reusable deposit: beer in glass bottles, mineral water, soft drinks, and juices. Some dairy products and alcoholic mixed drinks may be offered in reusable bottles.
NO DEPOSIT
Beverages sold without a deposit are mainly those in cardboard packaging, tubular bags, or stand-up pouches, as well as beverages with a filling volume of less than 0.1 liters or more than 3 liters. Wine, sparkling wine, spirits in glass bottles, juices, and milk in certain types of packaging are also deposit-free. Such packaging must be disposed of in the yellow bag and glass bottles must be separated by color in public glass containers.
