Practical Information

Waste Prevention & Recycling

Annually, Germany is responsible for producing over 30 million tonnes of garbage. Waste Prevention and recycling are major priorities for the German people. They have developed an elaborate garbage bin system for separating their waste products and are rigorous about ensuring that all waste products are separated and dealt with accordingly. This process can sometimes seem daunting to someone new to the country.

Here’s a quick overview of which products belong in each bin:

Green bin (paper)

• Envelopes, books, catalogues, illustrations, cartons, writing pads, brochures, writing paper, school books, washing detergent cartons without plastic, newspapers, paper boxes

Green bin (plastic, etc)

• Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, inside packaging materials
• Tins, cans, liquids refill sachets/bags, yogurt cups, body lotion bottles
• Plastic bags, margarine tubs, milk sachets, plastic packaging trays for fruit and vegetables, screw-top bottle tops, detergent bottles, carry bags, vacuum packaging, dishwashing liquid bottles

Gray bin (household waste)

• Ash, wire, carbon paper, electrical appliances, bicycle tubes, photos, broken glass, bulbs, chewing gum, personal hygiene articles, nails, porcelain, rubber, plastic ties, broken mirrors, vacuum cleaner bags, street sweeping dirt, carpeting pieces, diapers, cigarette butts, miscellaneous waste

Brown bin (biological waste)

• Kitchen waste: old bread, eggs shells, coffee powder and filters, food leftovers, tealeaves and tea filters
• Fruit and vegetables: peels, apple cores, leaves, nutshells, fruit stones and pips, lettuce leaves
• Garden waste: soil, hedge trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, weeds, dead flowers, and twigs


• Other: feathers, hair, kitchen towels, tissues, sawdust, and straw