Recycling

Recycling

Germany has been very successful with their recycling program.  A system called “the green dot” was developed in 1991 making manufacturers contribute to the recycling or disposal of any packaging material they sell. It is referred to as the green dot because this symbol allows the consumer to identify the program on all packaging. Manufacturers drastically cut back the amount of materials used in the packaging of their products.  A major part of the success in this program is the proper sorting of garbage.  As Americans it is important that we understand how to properly sort our garbage to not be a burden on the country we are being allowed to live in.

Private Trash Bins

In your home you should have 4 trash bins to sort biological waste, paper, plastic and waste.  You should receive in the mail or from your landlord a schedule of when each bin gets picked up during the week.  The following is a list of what can be placed in each bin.

Biological Waste (Biomull)

(Green Label)

Kitchen Waste:  Old bread, egg shells, coffee grinds & filters, food leftovers,  tea bags, fruit & vegetables

Garden Waste:  Soil, Hedge trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, weeds, dead flowers, branches, twigs

Other:  feathers, hair, tissues, sawdust, straw

Paper (Papier/Pappe)

(Blue Label)

Books, Envelopes, catalogues, cartons, pads of paper, brochures, newspapers, cardboard, broken down boxes

 Plastic (etc)

(Yellow bag or bin label)

Aluminum foil, aluminum cans, plastic wrap, packaging material,  yogurt cups, toiletry bottles, plastic bags, plastic food containers, screw top bottle tops, detergent bottles, miscellaneous plastic

Waste (Restmull)

(Yellow Label)

Wire, Ash, Carbon paper, electrical appliances, broken glass, bulbs, gum, rubber, carpeting pieces, diapers, photos, light bulbs, porcelain, cigarette butts, & all other miscellaneous waste

Public Trash Bins

In each town/ city there will be public trash centers set up in parking lots or on the edge of town.  Here you can recycle glass, aluminum and clothing.  Make sure to recycle between  Monday- Saturday 7:00am and 8:00pm in support of quiet hours.  Recycling can be very loud!

Old Clothes/ Shoes Containers

These bins are similar to the salvation army containers located in the U.S.  These bins are placed in town by private non-profit organizations.  Any unsoiled clothing and shoes can be placed in the bins preferably in plastic bags. 

Glass containers

Glass must be sorted by color into the proper bin.  There will be containers for clear, green and brown glass.  Porcelain,  light bulbs and broken glass should not be put into containers.

Aluminum

In most towns aluminum bins will be located next to glass containers.  In some smaller towns aluminum can be picked up at the home with plastic.

Bio

In some towns there will be large bio bins for large garden waist.

Large Item Pick Up (Sperrmuell)

Sperrmuell will happen several times a year. Your landlord should be able to provided dates for you and stipulations on what can be picked up and what cannot.  Some cities have facilities that will take large metal pick up at any time.

Store deposit ( Pfand) bottles

Some plastic and glass bottles you will pay a deposit on when you purchase the item.  Beer bottles will charge an average of eight cents per each bottle.  Some juice and water containers will  charge a twenty five cent deposit.  The plastic containers can be identified with this symbol:

  Many grocery stores have automatic machines for recycling your Pfand bottles. Smaller stores will hand sort the items and give you your money. 

Public Location Bins 

In many public locations, such as train stations, garbage barrels are divided into 4 parts for recycling.  Make sure to properly dispose of your waist in these bins.