Collection Systems in Liechtenstein 🇱🇮
About
Liechtenstein uses a combination of bring-points and municipal collection systems. Metal packaging is collected separately from scrap metal. Bio-waste collection is for garden waste (plant-based organics only). Collection methods vary by municipality.
Collection Streams
Metal Packaging (Aluminium & Steel/Tin Cans) - Packaging ONLY
What goes in:
- Packaging only: food cans / steel packaging; aluminium packaging (as accepted locally)
What does NOT go in:
- Dirty cans; aerosol/spray cans; paint cans; scrap metal objects; composite materials; (some municipalities also exclude coffee capsules from this stream)
Notes:
- Preferably rinsed/emptied
- Many areas split metal packaging from scrap metal
Paper & Cardboard Recycling
What goes in:
- Paper recycling (Altpapier): Non-packaging: newspapers, magazines, books (often without hard spine), office/copy paper, envelopes. Packaging: leaflets, brochures, catalogues
- Cardboard recycling (Altkarton): Packaging: cardboard & corrugated boxes, paper shopping bags, egg cartons, packing paper
What does NOT go in:
- Paper recycling: Beverage cartons (Tetra Pak), soup pouches; wax/greaseproof paper; coated or wet-strength paper; dirty paper; household/hygiene paper; non-paper contaminants
- Cardboard recycling: Coated/dirty cardboard; frozen-food boxes and beverage cartons; detergent packaging; non-cardboard parts
Notes:
- Paper and cardboard must be separated
- Keep dry/clean; bundle if required locally
- Cardboard: flatten/tie bundles; remove foreign materials (plastic handles/films, etc.)
Glass Bottles & Jars (Altglas / Bottle Glass) - Packaging ONLY
What goes in:
- Packaging only: glass bottles and jars (often sorted by colour), without lids/corks; broken container glass
What does NOT go in:
- Window/flat glass, mirrors, drinking glasses; ceramics/porcelain
Notes:
- Do not mix non-container glass with bottle glass; contamination (lids/plastics) reduces recyclability
Plastic Packaging & Beverage Cartons (RecyBag) - Packaging ONLY
What goes in:
- Packaging only: plastic packaging (bottles for shampoo/cleaners, trays, tubs, films, bags, tubes, etc.) + beverage cartons (e.g., Tetra Pak)
- 'Empty is enough' (no need to wash)
What does NOT go in:
- Not allowed: PET beverage bottles; electronics; batteries; Styrofoam; toys/other non-packaging plastic items; kitchen sponges
Notes:
- Availability depends on the municipality's participation (Liechtenstein municipalities are actively referencing RecyBag as the system)
- Return RecyBags only at participating collection points
Sources:
Bio-waste / Organics (Grünabfuhr - Garden Waste)
What goes in:
- Non-packaging: fruit & vegetable peelings (raw prep waste), garden waste (grass, leaves, cuttings), coffee grounds, eggshells, flowers, withered potted plants without pots
What does NOT go in:
- No cooked/seasoned food leftovers (bread, meat, fish, bones, salad with dressing, etc.)
- No packaging/plastics of any kind; no 'biodegradable/compostable' plastic bags; no paper/cardboard; no cat litter/dog waste bags; no ash; no stones/flowerpots; no treated wood/metal; no invasive plants (neophytes)
Notes:
- Nationally enforced quality rule: containers with food leftovers / wrong materials may not be emptied
- Some municipalities collect less frequently in winter (Dec–Mar)
- Many municipalities offer a composting place / depot for larger quantities; rules can be site-specific
Residual Waste (Kehricht / General Waste)
What goes in:
- Non-packaging: hygiene items, photos, vacuum cleaner bags, tights/stockings, cat litter
- Packaging: heavily contaminated packaging that cannot realistically be recycled
What does NOT go in:
- Not allowed in residual: metal, ceramics, concrete, liquids, tyres, e-waste, gas grills; hazardous items like batteries, medicines, oils, chemicals
Notes:
- Rule of thumb used nationally: only burnable, non-compostable, non-recyclable and non-hazardous waste
- Ash: generally not wanted, but small amounts may be put in a well-sealed bag (per guidance)
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 Liechtenstein may vary by municipality or region. Local sorting capabilities, collection infrastructure, and acceptance criteria can differ significantly even within the same country.
Important Notes
Liechtenstein uses a combination of bring-points and municipal collection systems—check local guidance
Bio-waste collection is primarily for garden waste (plant-based organics only)—cooked/seasoned food leftovers are typically not accepted
RecyBag system is used for plastic packaging and beverage cartons—check if your municipality participates
Collection methods vary by municipality—always check local guidance
Metal packaging is collected separately from scrap metal—many areas split these streams
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.