Collection Systems in Denmark 🇩🇰
About
Denmark uses a highly granular separation system, combining kerbside collection with mandatory use of municipal recycling centres (genbrugsplads).
Collection Streams
Food Waste (Bio-waste / Madaffald)
What goes in:
- Cooked and raw food, meat, fish, dairy, bread, and leftovers
What does NOT go in:
- Packaging materials
Notes:
- Collected in dedicated food-waste bins
- Compostable bags may be required, depending on municipality
Residual Waste (Restaffald)
What goes in:
- Non-recyclable or contaminated items only
- Includes pizza boxes, vacuum bags, cat litter, ash, hygiene waste, and composites
What does NOT go in:
- Recyclable materials
- Separately collected waste streams
Notes:
- Overuse of residual waste is actively discouraged
- Only for non-recyclable or contaminated items
Plastics
What goes in:
- Both packaging and non-packaging plastic are accepted
- Includes tubs, trays, bottles (non-deposit), household plastic items
What does NOT go in:
- PVC and very large plastic items often require recycling centres
Notes:
- Both packaging and non-packaging plastic are accepted
- PVC and very large plastic items often require recycling centres
Paper & Cardboard
What goes in:
- Clean, dry paper and board
What does NOT go in:
- Gift wrap with coatings
- Dirty paper
- Laminated materials
Notes:
- Clean, dry paper and board
- Gift wrap with coatings, dirty paper, and laminated materials are excluded
Glass
What goes in:
- Glass packaging plus some non-packaging glass
What does NOT go in:
- Ceramics, mirrors, and window glass go to recycling centres
- Deposit bottles must be returned via the deposit system
Notes:
- Glass packaging plus some non-packaging glass
- Ceramics, mirrors, and window glass go to recycling centres
- Deposit bottles must be returned via the deposit system
Metal
What goes in:
- Packaging and small non-packaging metal items
- Includes cans, foil, tools, pots, and pans
What does NOT go in:
- Large metal items go to recycling centres
Notes:
- Packaging and small non-packaging metal items
- Large metal items go to recycling centres
Textiles
What goes in:
- Worn or damaged textiles not suitable for reuse
What does NOT go in:
- Clean textiles must be kept separate from reusable clothing streams
Notes:
- Worn or damaged textiles not suitable for reuse
- Clean textiles must be kept separate from reusable clothing streams
- Users are encouraged to render textiles unusable if they do not want reuse
Small Electronics
What goes in:
- Small electrical items collected separately
What does NOT go in:
- Large electronics must go to recycling centres
Notes:
- Small electrical items collected separately
- Batteries must be removed beforehand
Batteries
What goes in:
- Portable household batteries only
What does NOT go in:
- Larger batteries (car, e-bike, power tools) require specialised handling
Notes:
- Portable household batteries only
- Larger batteries (car, e-bike, power tools) require specialised handling
Hazardous Waste
What goes in:
- Paints, sprays, chemicals, oils, pesticides, fluorescent lamps, and similar
What does NOT go in:
- Regular household bins
Notes:
- Accepted via special containers or recycling centres only
- Never placed in regular household bins
Recycling Centres (Genbrugsplads)
What goes in:
- Required for bulky waste, construction waste, large electronics, PVC, mattresses, soil, and hazardous materials
What does NOT go in:
- Items that can be collected kerbside
Notes:
- Mandatory use of municipal recycling centres for specific items
- Sorting accuracy is enforced on site
- Required for bulky waste, construction waste, large electronics, PVC, mattresses, soil, and hazardous materials
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 Denmark may vary by municipality or region. Local sorting capabilities, collection infrastructure, and acceptance criteria can differ significantly even within the same country.
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.