Collection Systems in Croatia ðŸ‡ðŸ‡·
About
Croatia uses a color-coded container system with separate streams for packaging, paper, glass, and organics. Collection varies by municipality, with some areas using mixed collection systems.
Collection Streams
Plastic & Metal Packaging (Yellow)
What goes in:
- Plastic bottles (water/soft drinks, oils, detergents, cosmetics)
- Plastic tubs/trays, foils/films/bags
- Metal packaging: cans and tins, metal lids/caps
What does NOT go in:
- Packaging with hazardous residues (paint/solvents/oils/chemicals)
- Pressurised containers (e.g., gas bottles)
- Organic waste, food leftovers, diapers, mixed waste
Notes:
- Many municipalities require items to be empty, rinsed, and flattened
- Some places accept 'other plastic items' (non-packaging) in the yellow stream, but this varies—when in doubt, take non-packaging plastic objects to a recycling yard
Paper & Cardboard (Blue)
What goes in:
- Newspapers, magazines, catalogues
- Books/notebooks, office paper/letters
- Paper bags, folders
- Corrugated cardboard and cardboard boxes (flattened)
What does NOT go in:
- Soiled/greasy paper (e.g., oily paper)
- Carbon/indigo paper, photo paper/photos
- Diapers, paper with non-paper parts left on
Notes:
- Remove plastic film, tape, styrofoam inserts from boxes where possible
- If you have very large volumes of cardboard, many municipalities prefer the recycling yard
Glass Packaging (Green)
What goes in:
- Glass bottles and jars (all colours)
What does NOT go in:
- Window/automotive/crystal/lab glass, glass wool
- Light bulbs/fluorescent lamps
- Porcelain/ceramics
Notes:
- Typically: empty + rinse, and remove caps/lids (caps usually go to metal/plastic stream)
Beverage Cartons
What goes in:
- Drink cartons and other multilayer cartons where your municipality collects them (often together with plastic/metal)
What does NOT go in:
- If your municipality does not include cartons in the yellow stream: don't force them into paper or residual—use the local guidance / recycling yard
Notes:
- This is one of the bigger municipal differences in Croatia: some systems collect plastic + metal + multilayer together, others separate it
Bio-waste / Organics (Brown)
What goes in:
- Fruit/veg peels and scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, bread
- Garden waste (leaves, grass, wilted flowers)
- Small amounts of soiled paper used to wrap kitchen scraps (if allowed locally)
What does NOT go in:
- Cooked food, meat/fish/bones/skin, dairy, oils/fats, liquids
- Diapers/sanitary waste
- Packaging of any kind
Notes:
- Croatia requires separate bio-waste collection (or home composting)
- Many municipalities run bio-waste as 'plant-based kitchen + garden waste' to protect compost quality
- Compostable/paper liners are usually preferred; plastic bags are not
Residual Waste
What goes in:
- Non-recyclable household waste
- Diapers, sanitary waste, wet wipes
- Contaminated packaging that can't be cleaned
What does NOT go in:
- Paper/cardboard, glass packaging, plastic/metal packaging, bio-waste
- Hazardous ('problematic') waste, WEEE, bulky waste
Notes:
- Mixed municipal waste is the 'leftover' stream after separate fractions are removed
Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
What goes in:
- Single-use beverage containers eligible for refund (commonly PET, metal cans, glass) returned via shops (and sometimes recycling yards), for a refund per item
What does NOT go in:
- Non-deposit packaging (most food packaging, non-beverage bottles, etc.), or items without the required deposit marking/barcode
Notes:
- In Croatia, this is a major 'where do I put this bottle/can?' pathway: instead of the yellow/glass bin, many people return eligible drink containers to retail to claim the deposit
What Gets Collected
Accepted Items
- • Packaging materials (varies by stream)
- • Empty and clean containers
- • Material-specific items
Not Accepted
- • Non-packaging items
- • Contaminated materials
- • Hazardous containers with contents
Regional Variations
Collection systems in Croatia may vary by municipality or region. Local sorting capabilities, collection infrastructure, and acceptance criteria can differ significantly even within the same country.
Important Notes
Collection systems vary significantly by municipality in Croatia—always check local guidance
The packaging vs. non-packaging distinction is critical for plastic and metal streams
DRS applies to eligible beverage containers—return them for a refund rather than putting them in recycling bins
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.