Collection Systems in Lithuania 🇱🇹
About
Lithuania uses a color-coded container system with Yellow for packaging, Blue for paper, and Green for glass. Separate food waste collection started nationwide on 1 Jan 2024, but collection methods vary. A deposit return scheme operates for beverage containers.
Collection Streams
Plastic + Metal + Composite Packaging (Yellow - "Plastic/Packaging")
What goes in:
- Plastic bottles and other plastic packaging (trays, tubs, food packaging, cleaning/hygiene product bottles)
- Plastic film & bags, beverage cartons (e.g., "Tetra Pak"), flexible 'shiny' wrappers (chips/candy), take-away drink cups (composite), metal cans/tins and metal lids
What does NOT go in:
- Non-packaging plastic items (buckets, hangers, plant pots, toys), electronics, toothbrushes/razors and other hygiene items, medical items, hazardous/chemical-contaminated packaging (oil/antifreeze/paint/chemicals), aerosols often treated as special waste
Notes:
- Packaging must be empty and clean
- Aerosols may need special handling—check local guidance
Paper & Cardboard (Blue - "Paper")
What goes in:
- Clean paper & cardboard packaging (boxes, cartons, paper bags)
- Newspapers, magazines, leaflets, office/printing paper, envelopes
What does NOT go in:
- Greasy/oily paper like pizza boxes, tissues/napkins/paper towels, toilet paper/diapers, wallpaper and paint-stained paper, laminated/foil- or plastic-coated paper, disposable coffee cups (often plastic-lined)
Notes:
- Keep paper dry and clean; flatten boxes to save space
- Staples/tape are generally acceptable
Glass Packaging (Green - "Glass")
What goes in:
- Glass bottles & jars, other glass packaging like perfume bottles, clean glass packaging shards
What does NOT go in:
- Ceramics/porcelain/crystal, mirrors and window glass / glass sheets, light bulbs/fluorescent lamps, medical ampoules, TV screens, paint/oil-contaminated glass
Notes:
- Empty bottles/jars; remove lids; washing not required; labels can stay
Food Waste / Kitchen Waste (Bio-waste)
What goes in:
- Fruit/veg scraps and leftovers, bread/baked goods, cooked/raw food incl. meat/fish, bones, eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds/filters, soiled napkins/paper towels, cut flowers/houseplants (without soil)
What does NOT go in:
- Liquids (soups, milk etc.), tobacco, medicines, pet litter, food mixed with glass packaging (remove jar/bottle first)
Notes:
- Nationwide: separate food/kitchen waste collection started 1 Jan 2024, but collection method varies
- Many municipalities use a dedicated food-waste container, while Vilnius region uses orange bags placed into mixed-waste containers (bag-and-sort approach). Follow your region's instructions
Sources:
Residual Waste (Mixed Municipal Waste)
What goes in:
- 'Leftovers' after sorting: hygiene items like razors, toothbrushes, sponges, diapers and sanitary waste, toilet paper, broken dishware/ceramics and small broken glass (non-packaging), small broken toys without batteries
What does NOT go in:
- Recyclable packaging (paper/plastic/metal/glass packaging), bulky waste (furniture etc.), textiles (where separately collected), hazardous waste & mercury items, medicines, small electronics, green/garden waste
Notes:
- This is for what cannot be separately collected
- Bulky/e-waste/hazardous must go to municipal collection sites or dedicated systems
Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
What goes in:
- Beverage packaging under the deposit system: glass, plastic (incl. PET), metal packaging (when in the deposit system)
What does NOT go in:
- Non-deposit containers; other packaging types not covered by deposit
Notes:
- The deposit system has operated since 1 Feb 2016
- For consumer guidance, these containers are generally best returned via deposit take-back points rather than placed in municipal recycling
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 Lithuania may vary by municipality or region. Local sorting capabilities, collection infrastructure, and acceptance criteria can differ significantly even within the same country.
Important Notes
Separate food waste collection started nationwide on 1 Jan 2024, but collection methods vary—some use dedicated containers, others use bag-and-sort approach
The deposit return scheme (DRS) is separate from municipal recycling—return eligible containers for a refund
Aerosols may need special handling—check local guidance
Collection methods vary by municipality—check local guidance
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.