Germany

Never miss bin day again

Free email reminders the evening before collection.

How it works

Three simple steps to never miss bin day again

Check your address

Enter your address and we'll find your council's collection schedule.
Choose your reminders

Add your email address and we'll remind you the evening before collection.
Never miss bin day

Put the right bin out on time, every time — we'll mind the schedule for you.

Never miss bin day again – the waste collection calendar for all of Germany

BinMinder reminds you in good time about the next collection of residual waste, organic waste, yellow sacks and paper bins, matched to your street.

In Germany, local authorities organise waste collection. Depending on the city, this may be handled by a municipal operator such as BSR in Berlin or AWB in Cologne, a city cleansing department or a contracted private company. Collection dates appear in your local authority's Abfallkalender (waste calendar) and are set for your street. Residual waste is usually collected every fortnight, although some cities collect it weekly or only every four weeks.

Germany typically uses a multiple-bin system: the black or grey bin is for residual waste, the brown Biotonne for food and garden waste, and the blue Papiertonne for waste paper. Lightweight packaging made of plastic, metal and composite materials goes in the Gelber Sack (yellow sack) or Gelbe Tonne (yellow bin). This collection is funded through the dual recycling systems associated with the Green Dot. In many places, glass is taken to public recycling containers and separated into clear, green and brown glass.

There are additional services for anything that does not fit in a bin. In most local authority areas, bulky waste is collected by appointment, either free of charge or for a fee, often with only a few collections available each year. Electrical waste, hazardous materials and green waste should be taken to a Wertstoffhof recycling centre. Drinks bottles and cans carrying a deposit can simply be returned through a supermarket machine; the Pfand deposit scheme is part of everyday life in Germany.

Restmüll (residual waste)

Black or grey bin

Non-recyclable waste such as hygiene products, ash and vacuum cleaner bags. Usually collected fortnightly, although some local authorities collect weekly or every four weeks.

Biotonne (food and garden waste)

Brown

Food and garden waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and grass cuttings. Often collected weekly or fortnightly, and sometimes less often in winter.

Gelber Sack / Gelbe Tonne (yellow sack / yellow bin)

Yellow

Lightweight packaging made of plastic, metal and composite materials, including tins, yoghurt pots and film. Yellow sacks are available free of charge from the waste operator or citizens' office, and are usually collected fortnightly.

Papiertonne (paper bin)

Blue

Waste paper such as newspapers, cardboard and books, excluding heavily soiled or coated paper. Usually collected monthly or fortnightly.

Altglas (waste glass)

Containers by glass colour: clear, green and brown

Glass bottles and jars are taken to public recycling points and separated by colour. Avoid using them early in the morning or late in the evening because of the noise.

Sperrmüll (bulky waste)

No bin – collection by appointment

Bulky items such as furniture and carpets are collected by appointment in most local authority areas, often with only a few collections available per household each year.

Your local authority's waste calendar is available as a PDF or app from the local waste operator. Dates can differ even from one street to the next.
Put bins at the kerb the evening before collection or early on collection day, as vehicles in some areas start their rounds at 6 am.
Drinks containers with a deposit (€0.08 to €0.25) do not belong in glass recycling. Return them to a supermarket instead; look for the deposit symbol on the label.
Sorting mistakes can be costly: local authorities may charge extra contamination fees or refuse to empty incorrectly filled bins.

What belongs in the Gelber Sack, and what does not?

Only packaging made of plastic, metal and composite materials belongs in the Gelber Sack or Gelbe Tonne, including film, tins, yoghurt pots and drinks cartons. Residual waste, electrical appliances and non-packaging plastic items such as buckets or toys do not belong in it.

How often is the residual waste bin collected?

Each local authority sets its own schedule. Fortnightly collection is common; some cities collect weekly and others only every four weeks. The frequency is often linked to your chosen bin size and waste charge.

How can I arrange collection of bulky waste?

In most towns and municipalities, you can book bulky-waste collection by telephone or online with the waste operator and receive a collection date. Many local authorities offer a small number of free collections each year and charge after that. Alternatively, take bulky waste to a Wertstoffhof recycling centre yourself.

What should I do with glass bottles that do not carry a deposit?

Take non-deposit bottles, preserving jars and similar waste glass to public glass containers, separated into clear, green and brown glass. Return bottles carrying a deposit, identified by the deposit symbol, to a supermarket or drinks retailer to receive the deposit back.