Separate properly, Recycle better

In 2023, 2.3 billion tons of waste were produced globally – a figure that could rise by up to 70% by 2050 if no changes are made. This trend poses a significant threat to the climate, as waste processing and incineration release large amounts of greenhouse gases. Therefore, reducing waste and disposing of it properly is essential to lower CO₂ emissions.

Recycling plays a key role in this. It not only reduces waste but also saves energy and raw materials. Paper, glass, plastic, and metals can be recycled multiple times, reducing the need for new materials and lowering emissions. For example, recycling plastic saves about 80% of the energy compared to producing new plastic.

Proper waste separation is crucial for making recycling effective. Only correctly sorted materials can be efficiently reused. Each type of waste requires specific processes to ensure the most efficient recycling. Below, you'll find tips on how to properly dispose of common waste types like paper, glass, plastic, and metal.

Paper

Recycling paper conserves forests and reduces the energy needed in paper production. Recycling paper uses about half the energy and a third of the water required for new paper, thus significantly lowering CO₂ emissions. Waste separation is crucial here: only clean paper should go into the paper bin, such as:

Newspapers, magazines, books, catalogs
Gift wrap, envelopes
Packaging like egg cartons, parcel boxes, flour, and sugar bags

Some products that look like paper don’t belong in the paper bin because they complicate recycling. Coated or soiled paper belongs in general waste. This includes thermal paper, like tickets and receipts, as well as coated to-go cups and other paper composites. Dirty pizza boxes should also go in the general waste, as well as all cartons with food residue, such as frozen food packaging with food remains or paper plates and napkins.

Paper bags go into the paper bin, but it’s a shame to throw them away after just one use. Even brown paper bags are rarely made from recycled paper. So use them as often as possible for further shopping or for compostable waste.

Glass

Glass is one of the materials that can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. Recycling glass not only saves energy but also reduces the use of raw materials like sand, soda, and lime. Proper separation is important here: only empty glass bottles and containers belong in the glass containers. Colors matter because they are recycled separately—usually, there are containers for clear, brown, and green glass. Other colored glass should go with green glass, as it can mix with other colors best.

The lids of glass jars or bottles can stay on in the glass container as they are mechanically sorted and recycled during the recycling process. Alternatively, they can also be disposed of in the Yellow Bin. Especially in summer, when wasps are around, it may be sensible to leave the lid on the glass to avoid attracting insects.

However, drinking glasses, porcelain, ceramics, and light bulbs do not belong in the glass container, as they have different melting points and disrupt recycling. These materials should be disposed of in general waste or at special collection points. Proper glass recycling helps save energy, conserve resources, and reduce CO₂ emissions.

Packaging & Other Recyclables

Recyclables include packaging waste and other reusable materials like plastics and metals that go into the Yellow Bin or recyclable bin. It’s important that glass and paper are not included in these bins but collected separately. Proper material separation is crucial for effective recycling.

The recyclable bin is not only limited to packaging but can also accept items like broken plastic buckets, metal cutlery, or old pots in many municipalities. It’s the material of the product that determines whether it can go in the recyclable bin—not the Green Dot symbol. Previously, all packaging had this Green Dot as a sign that disposal costs were covered, but since 2009, displaying the symbol is no longer mandatory and can cause confusion.

For recyclables to be properly recycled, it’s important to separate the various materials. The problem with packaging is often that it’s made from multiple materials. For example, yogurt cups should be separated from their paper sleeves, while the cup itself and the lid go in the recyclable bin. To help waste facilities recognize the materials correctly, it’s also important not to stack packaging but to dispose of it loosely in the Yellow Bag or recyclable bin.

Organic Waste

Organic waste is a valuable resource that can be used for biogas production, thus replacing fossil fuels. More than a third of organic waste still ends up in general waste, where it cannot be further processed. Did you know that a banana peel can power an 11-watt lamp for about 34 minutes? By correctly separating organic waste, we contribute to replacing fossil fuels with biogas, thus reducing CO₂ emissions.

The organic waste bin is for:

Fruit, vegetable, and cooked food scraps
Fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells
Coffee grounds and filters, tea bags
Fish bones, cheese rinds, inedible or moldy food without packaging
Wilted flowers, garden waste, leaves

Only organic waste belongs in the organic waste bin. Plastics, including biodegradable variants, glass, metal, textiles, and paper-coated plastic materials do not belong here. Stones, soil, ash, cigarette butts, chemicals, paints, batteries, cooking oils, and medicines are also not allowed. Additionally, pet waste from meat-eating animals should not go in the organic waste bin. Disposal rules can vary locally, so it’s worth checking local regulations.

General Waste

General waste includes all waste that cannot be recycled or otherwise processed and therefore ends up in the black bin. This waste is primarily incinerated today, with the resulting heat used for energy production. However, a lot of materials that should be separated are still found in the black bin. A study by the German Federal Environment Agency from 2020 shows that only about a third of the waste in the black bin is actually general waste. The rest consists of organic waste, recyclables, and problematic items like batteries, which should not end up in general waste.

Incinerating general waste releases CO₂ and harmful substances, directly contributing to global warming. Even if the resulting heat is utilized, waste incineration is not a sustainable solution. Better separation could recover valuable resources and significantly reduce the amount of waste to be incinerated.

Learning and Acting Together

Consistent waste avoidance and proper waste separation are essential for climate protection and environmental conservation. Waste often needs to be disposed of differently than many people think. Only through proper separation can resources be recovered and pollutants disposed of responsibly. Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves energy and resources that would otherwise be required for producing new raw materials.

Nonetheless, waste avoidance remains the best approach. Producing less waste by consuming mindfully and using reusable products reduces long-term environmental impact and CO₂ emissions.

Proper waste separation and avoidance are complex topics, and no one has all the answers. That’s why it’s particularly valuable to exchange ideas, share knowledge, or explore together. By learning from one another and supporting each other, we all contribute to a cleaner and more eco-friendly future.