Sustainable Living: The Ins and Outs of Recycling in Germany

Want to learn the ins and outs of recycling in Germany? Check out this post for everything you need to know on how to recycle like a German!

If you’re looking to live in Germany for some time then you must know that Germans take recycling very seriously. This was a culture shock for me as someone coming from the United States because Americans can’t really recycle. Germans, however, take recycling to a whole new level when it comes to separating plastic from metal, glass from paper, and organic waste from trash. No matter what it is, Germans always keep their recycling organized.

So, if you want to learn how to recycle like a German, you’ve come to the right place. This post alone highlights how to separate your recycling in Germany and some tips and tricks for remembering it.

The Different Types of Recycling Bins in Germany

Germans use different types of recycling bins to recycle in Germany. The standard recycling bins in Germany include the following:

Blue bin (blaue Tonne)

This recycling bin is for paper and cardboard. You can’t use any plastic bags for this bin and you need to make sure to flatten your cardboard before you dispose of it.

Yellow or Orange Bin (Wertstofftonne)

This recycling bin is for plastic and metal containers as well as containers with a Green Dot logo on them.

Brown Bin (Biomüll)

This recycling bin is for biodegradable waste. The waste is used to make biogas or compost and you can only use paper bags in this bin.

Grey Bin (Restmüll)

This bin is for anything you can’t recycle, sell, or donate.

Glass Recycling Bin (Glasiglus)

This recycling bin is for glass containers that don’t have a deposit on them. There are three types of glass recycling bins: Braunglas, Grünglas, Weißglas.

Braunglas: brown glass
Grünglas: green, red, and blue glass
Weißglas: transparent glass

Visual Summary

If It Doesn’t Go in a Recycling Bin

If what you’re disposing of doesn’t fit in the standard recycling bin, there are other options available to you.

Recycling Centers

The most popular option is a recycling center. Recycling centers accept almost everything and this is where you would go to get rid of those large items like furniture, mattresses, appliances, or carpets.

Real-Life Examples of What Goes Where

Here are some real-life examples of recyclable items and where you should dispose of them:

Paper and Cardboard

Paper and cardboard: blaue Tonne
This also includes egg cartons, bread bags, newspapers, magazines, and envelopes.

Paper towels, tissues: Biomüll

Dirty paper/cardboard: Restmüll
This includes things like pizza boxes or takeout containers.

Plastic

Plastic: Wertstofftonne
This includes things like plastic wrap and bottle caps. If it has a Pfand logo, return it and get your money back.

Metal

Metal: Wertstofftonne
This includes things like aluminum foil. If it has a Pfand logo, return it and get your money back.

Glass

Glass: Glasiglus
If it has a Pfand logo, return it and get your money back.

Mirrors: Restmüll

Light bulbs: Restmüll

Styrofoam

Styrofoam: Wertstofftonne
This includes things like food containers and packing material.

Food

Food: Biomüll
This includes things like leftover food, eggshells, tea bags, and coffee grounds.

Cooking Oil/Fat: Restmüll

Clothing and Shoes

Clothing/Shoes: recycling centers
You’re also welcome to sell or donate them to the German Red Cross at a clothes donation bin.

Electronics

Phones, computers, and electronics: recycling centers, electronic stores
Electronic stores that sell electronics have to recycle them for free.

Batteries: electronic stores, hardware stores, supermarkets
Electronic stores that sell batteries have to recycle them for free.

Printer cartridges and toner: recycling centers, electronic stores
Electronic stores that sell printer cartridges and toner have to recycle them for free.

Furniture and Appliances

Furniture/Big Items: recycling centers

Appliances:  hardware stores, or recycling centers
Hardware stores that sell appliances must recycle them for free. They also take back your old appliance when you buy a new one.

Miscellaneous

Animal Feces: Restmüll
This does not go in the Biomüll.

Diapers: Restmüll

Medicine/Drugs: Restmüll

Books: blaue Tonne
You’re also welcome to sell or donate them.

Tips and Tricks for Remembering

Here are some tips and tricks that will help you remember how to put your household waste in the right bins:

Look at the back of the item you’re recycling

Most of the time when you’re trying to recycle an item into the correct bin, there’s usually a logo on the back that will tell you which bin it belongs to for disposal.

For example, in the picture, the logo on the back says gelbe Tonne (yellow bin) which means the item should be discarded in the Wertstofftonne.

When in doubt, trust Restmüll

If there’s no logo at the back of the item you want to recycle and you don’t know where it goes, when in doubt, trust in Restmüll.

My former host parents told me it’s the best bin to discard things when you’re unsure since a lot of miscellaneous items go in there.

Recycling in Germany FAQs

All in all, to end this post, I thought it would be important to also answer some frequently asked questions people might have about recycling in Germany!

via GIPHY

Do Germans take recycling seriously?

Yes, Germans take recycling seriously because to them recycling is a national pastime. Germany is even considered as one of the world’s leading recycling nations as they fight the global fight against climate change and growing garbage.

Why is Germany better at recycling than the U.S.?

Germany is better at recycling than the U.S. because of many reasons that include the way Germans sort their recycling, their infrastructure, and the recycling programs they have.

For one thing, it is required by law for Germans to sort their household waste into separate bins. In addition, Germany has a much more sophisticated recycling infrastructure which includes having recycling centers with advanced sorting technology. Lastly, Germany has a large number of programs that encourage recycling such as the Green Dot program. The Green Dot program essentially holds manufacturers and retailers responsible for collecting and recycling their packaging.

Is it illegal to not recycle in Germany?

Yes, it is illegal to not recycle in Germany. If one refuses to put their recycling in the right bin, their landlord has the right to issue them a warning. However, if the person is still non-compliant, then they will be issued a fine of up to 2,500 euros.

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Overall, I hope you enjoyed reading this post on how to recycle like a German. Please let me know in the comments down below what intrigued you the most about recycling in Germany. I would love to hear from you! 🙂

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