Collection Systems in Germany 🇩🇪
About
Germany uses a well-established separation system with the yellow bin/bag for packaging, separate paper and glass streams, and a bio-waste system. Packaging-only rules are strictly enforced.
Collection Streams
Yellow Bin / Yellow Bag (Gelbe Tonne / Gelber Sack) – Plastic/Metal/Composite Packaging
What goes in:
- Plastic packaging: cups, trays, wraps, bags/film
- Metal packaging: cans, lids/caps, aluminium foil/trays
- Composite packaging: drink cartons (Getränkekartons)
- Foam packaging (e.g., Styrofoam)
What does NOT go in:
- Glass packaging → glass stream
- Paper/cardboard packaging → paper stream
- Non-packaging plastic/metal objects (toys, buckets, pots/pans) → NOT here (unless you have a Wertstofftonne)
Notes:
- Packaging should be empty ('restentleert / löffelrein') but not rinsed
- Regional differences exist, so local guidance can override details
Paper & Cardboard Recycling (Blue or Green)
What goes in:
- Newspapers, magazines, brochures, books (non-packaging paper)
- School/office paper (non-packaging)
- Cardboard boxes, shipping cartons (packaging)
- Egg cartons (packaging)
- Empty pizza boxes (only if not greasy) (packaging)
What does NOT go in:
- Beverage cartons (Getränkekartons) + coffee-to-go cups (composite packaging) → Yellow
- Wallpaper → Residual
- Thermal paper receipts → usually Residual (exception: Blue Angel-labelled thermal paper)
- Greasy / wet-strength / coated papers (e.g., baking paper, heavily food-soiled papers)
Notes:
- Keep paper dry
- Biggest 'gotchas': briks/cartons don't go in paper, and thermal receipts don't either (unless specially labelled)
Glass Recycling (White/Brown/Green)
What goes in:
- Container glass packaging only ('Behälterglas'): Bottles and jars (packaging) sorted by colour (white/brown/green)
What does NOT go in:
- Drinking glasses, crystal, ceramics/porcelain (non-packaging)
- Heat-resistant ovenware (e.g., Pyrex) (non-packaging)
- Window glass / mirror glass (non-packaging)
- Light bulbs / LEDs (special collection)
Notes:
- Only 'container glass' goes in
- Remove screw caps/lids (they belong in packaging recycling) and sort by colour (if unsure, put into green)
- Don't throw refillable deposit bottles (Mehrweg/Pfand) into the glass container—return them
Garden Waste (Grüngut)
What goes in:
- Leaves, grass, prunings, hedge cuttings (non-packaging)
What does NOT go in:
- Treated/painted wood, mixed waste, packaging
Notes:
- Often seasonal pickup, drop-off, or included in Biotonne depending on municipality
- Many municipalities allow garden waste in the Biotonne, but large volumes may require separate 'Grüngut' routes
Bio-waste (Biotonne)
What goes in:
- Food scraps: fruit/veg, leftovers, bread, eggshells, coffee grounds/filters, tea bags (non-packaging)
- Garden waste: grass, leaves, flowers, small prunings (non-packaging)
- Often included (household quantities): meat/fish/bones unless your municipality excludes them
What does NOT go in:
- Any packaging (plastic/metal/glass/composites) incl. 'compostable' packaging
- Plastic bags (including 'bioplastic' carrier bags) and plastic items (e.g., flowerpots)
- Hygiene items, vacuum bags, sweeping dust, animal feces (e.g., dog poop)
Notes:
- Local authorities decide the binding list, but the national guidance strongly stresses: no packaging, no plastic bags
- Quality enforcement got stricter: from May 2025, new thresholds reduce plastics allowed in collected bio-waste
Residual Waste (Restmüll)
What goes in:
- Hygiene waste & hygiene paper (non-packaging): tissues, paper towels, diapers
- Vacuum cleaner bags, sweeping dust, cat litter (non-packaging)
- Broken dishes/ceramics (non-packaging)
- Wallpaper leftovers, photos (non-packaging)
- Ash / ashtray contents (non-packaging)
What does NOT go in:
- Packaging/paper/glass/bio that has its own stream
- Hazardous chemicals (liquid paints/lacquers, household/garden chemicals, waste oil, etc.)
- WEEE (electronics), batteries
Notes:
- Restmüll is defined locally, but the typical rule is: 'what can't be recycled and isn't a problem substance.'
Batteries & Accumulators
What goes in:
- Household batteries/accus returned to collection boxes in shops and/or municipal sites (non-packaging)
What does NOT go in:
- Not in Restmüll, not in yellow bin/bag, not in bulky waste
Notes:
- UBA: never dispose in household bins due to fire/environment risk
- Return free of charge (shops, Wertstoffhof, Schadstoffmobil)
WEEE / Electronics (Elektroaltgeräte)
What goes in:
- Household electronics/appliances (small + large) (non-packaging) via recycling centre (Wertstoffhof), retailer take-back, and sometimes municipal pickup
What does NOT go in:
- Not in Restmüll, not in yellow, not in Sperrmüll/metal scrap
Notes:
- UBA explicitly says: never put e-waste into household bins
- Take-back is free at Wertstoffhof/retailers (with specific rules)
- Remove batteries if possible
Textiles (Alttextilien)
What goes in:
- Clothing & household textiles (non-packaging) via textile containers/collectors; sometimes also via municipal sites
What does NOT go in:
- Heavily contaminated textiles (chemicals/paint) typically not suitable for textile collection
Notes:
- UBA notes textiles are collected via separate systems but also sometimes end up in residual depending on local setup/condition
Household Hazardous Waste (Schadstoffe / Problemstoffe)
What goes in:
- Liquid paints/lacquers, solvents, household & garden chemicals, waste oils, adhesives (household quantities)
What does NOT go in:
- Not in Restmüll; not in drains
Notes:
- UBA explicitly lists these as 'not in Restmüll' and points to municipal guidance/collection
Bulky Waste (Sperrmüll)
What goes in:
- Typical bulky household items: furniture, mattresses, carpets, etc. (non-packaging)
What does NOT go in:
- WEEE often excluded (must go to WEEE route)
- Hazardous waste
- Construction rubble
Notes:
- Highly municipal: pickup schedules, size limits, and what counts as Sperrmüll differ
- Booked pickup or drop-off; rules vary
Wertstofftonne (Only in Some Municipalities)
What goes in:
- Packaging + 'stoffgleiche Nichtverpackungen' (same materials as packaging, but not packaging)
- Packaging from plastic/metal/composites (packaging)
- Non-packaging items made mainly of plastic/metal: e.g., broken kitchen utensils, watering cans, etc. (non-packaging)
What does NOT go in:
- Rest waste
- Electronics (WEEE)
- Textiles
Notes:
- Not nationwide
- UBA notes it's an option chosen by municipalities (no uniform national rule)
- Some cities explicitly converted the 'yellow bin' into a Wertstofftonne (example: Düsseldorf)
Used Cooking Oil
What goes in:
- Typically accepted at recycling centres / civic amenity sites where offered
Notes:
- Check local acceptance list
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 Germany may vary by municipality or region. Local sorting capabilities, collection infrastructure, and acceptance criteria can differ significantly even within the same country.
Important Notes
Packaging vs. non-packaging distinction is critical—yellow bins accept only packaging (Leichtverpackungen), not all plastics or metals.
Packaging should be empty ('restentleert / löffelrein') but not rinsed—regional differences exist.
Bio-waste quality enforcement got stricter: from May 2025, new thresholds reduce plastics allowed in collected bio-waste.
Regional variations exist—some municipalities use Wertstofftonne instead of Gelbe Tonne.
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.