Collection Systems in Slovenia ๐ธ๐ฎ
About
Slovenia uses a color-coded container system with Yellow for packaging, Blue for paper, Green for glass, and Brown for bio-waste. Separate textile collection is required by 1 Jan 2025. Collection methods vary by municipality/provider.
Collection Streams
Packaging Recycling - Plastic + Metal + Composite (Yellow)
What goes in:
- Packaging only: plastic bottles; yoghurt cups & trays; plastic bags & film; empty shampoo/soap/cleaner packaging (when not hazardous); metal cans/tins; aluminium & plastic foil used as product wrapping; beverage cartons (Tetra Pak); packaging polystyrene/foam
What does NOT go in:
- Not packaging: toys; broken plastic chairs; floor coverings/large rigid plastic items
- Hazardous packaging: packaging with residues of motor oils, pesticides, paints/varnish, etc.
- Also: cellophane; CDs/DVDs/records (the discs themselves)
Notes:
- Packaging must be empty; squash/compact if possible; remove caps/lids; generally no need to rinse/wash
- This stream is the biggest recycling stream in Slovenia
Paper & Cardboard (Blue)
What goes in:
- Non-packaging: newspapers; magazines; notebooks; books; catalogues; envelopes; office/wrapping paper; paper shopping bags
- Packaging: cardboard boxes; paperboard/boxboard
What does NOT go in:
- Packaging & composites: beverage cartons (Tetra Pak) (go to yellow packaging stream)
- Material not accepted: carbon copy paper; waxed/plastic-coated paper; wallpaper; cellophane; cigarette packs
- Contamination: food-soiled paper/cardboard packaging (goes to residual)
Notes:
- Flatten/tear boxes; remove adhesive tape where possible
- If a magazine is wrapped in plastic film, put the film in yellow packaging
- Paper towels/napkins/tissues are commonly treated as bio-waste where accepted
Glass Packaging (Green)
What goes in:
- Packaging only: glass bottles and jars (food & drinks); glass packaging from medicines/cosmetics
What does NOT go in:
- Window/flat glass; car glass; mirrors; ceramics/porcelain; crystal; screen/TV glass; plexiglass; lab/fireproof glass
- Light bulbs/tubes (treated as hazardous/special)
Notes:
- Put glass empty; remove caps/lids: metal lids โ yellow packaging, corks โ residual
- Flat glass is typically a collection-centre item
Bio-waste / Organics (Brown)
What goes in:
- Non-packaging: fruit & vegetable scraps; eggshells; coffee grounds + filters; tea bags; spoiled food; cooked food leftovers (non-liquid); paper tissues/napkins/paper bags; garden waste (grass, leaves, flowers, weeds, small branches); bedding from small herbivores
What does NOT go in:
- Cigarette butts; bones; diapers/sanitary products; cat litter; chewing gum; cork; textiles/leather/rubber; medicines/chemicals; fats & used cooking oil; dead animals
Notes:
- Use paper/compostable liners where accepted; avoid conventional plastic bags
- Many municipalities allow/encourage home composting and may allow you to replace the bio-bin with own composting (process is municipal-provider specific)
Residual Waste (Black/Grey)
What goes in:
- Non-packaging: diapers & other personal hygiene waste; vacuum cleaner bags/dust; cat litter; cooled ash; cork; rubber; ceramics/porcelain; incandescent ('classic') light bulbs; some textiles/leather only in limited cases (see textiles row)
- Packaging: greasy/food-soiled packaging like a pizza box
What does NOT go in:
- Recyclables: paper/cardboard; glass packaging; packaging (plastic/metal/composite) that should go in the yellow packaging stream; bio-waste
- Special streams: hazardous waste (chemicals, batteries, medicines), WEEE/electronics, bulky waste, clean/dry textiles (must be separated)
Notes:
- If you separate correctly, residual should be the 'small leftovers' stream
- Food-soiled paper/cardboard packaging typically goes here (not in paper)
- Textiles: separate textile collection is required (by 1 Jan 2025). Textiles should be clean and dry for reuse/recycling. Only 'unrecoverable' textile (e.g., very dirty scraps) should go to residual
Textiles & Clothing (Separate Collection)
What goes in:
- Non-packaging: clean, dry clothes, home textiles (e.g., bedding, towels), shoes (often accepted), bags/other textiles โ via dedicated containers or collection centres
What does NOT go in:
- Very dirty/contaminated textile that can't be reused or recycled (exception: may go to residual)
Notes:
- Separate textile collection is required (by 1 Jan 2025)
- Textiles should be clean and dry for reuse/recycling
- Only 'unrecoverable' textile (e.g., very dirty scraps) should go to residual
What Gets Collected
Accepted Items
- โข Packaging materials (varies by stream)
- โข Empty and clean containers
- โข Material-specific items
Not Accepted
- โข Non-packaging items
- โข Contaminated materials
- โข Hazardous containers with contents
Regional Variations
Collection systems in Slovenia 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 textile collection is required by 1 Jan 2025โtextiles should be clean and dry for reuse/recycling
The packaging-only rule is critical for plastic and metal streams
Paper towels/napkins/tissues are commonly treated as bio-waste where accepted
Collection methods vary by municipality/providerโalways check local guidance
Many municipalities allow/encourage home composting
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.