Waste separation 2025: How to separate your waste correctly

Everyone has had to deal with waste separation at some point. Everyday life often presents us with unclear situations: Does the milk carton go in the paper recycling bin or the yellow bag? If you frequently ask yourself this or similar questions, this article is for you. Below you will find a list for proper waste separation that you can use as a guide in your daily life.

This information is all the more relevant because new regulations regarding residual waste bins have been in effect since the beginning of 2025. Therefore, the age-old question of what goes in the black bin is more pertinent than ever. Our article provides you with all the information you need to be up-to-date and separate your waste with ease. To give you the clearest possible overview of waste separation, our article is divided into the following chapters:

1. Waste separation in Germany explained simply.

2. Why is waste separation so important?

3. Conclusion: Waste separation in Germany remains complicated, but sensible.

4. Frequently asked questions about proper waste separation.

Waste separation in Germany explained simply

We won't keep you in suspense any longer and will dive right in. Below, we'll discuss each type of bin separately and list which waste belongs in each. This will give you a detailed overview and allow you to quickly become a proud waste separation expert. So what are we waiting for? Let's get started!

What goes in the black bin?

First things first! Since January 1, 2025, new EU-wide guidelines have been in effect regarding the contents of residual waste bins. While, strictly speaking, not just any waste could be disposed of in the black bin even before this change, it was still frequently used for precisely that purpose. This was often done out of convenience or to dispose of waste in unclear cases. The new regulation aims to clarify the rules and will help individuals to separate their waste accurately in the future.

However, the regulation might come as a surprise to many: The black bin is for all waste that cannot be recycled and therefore cannot be sorted into other bins. In effect, this means that certain types of waste that were previously routinely thrown into the black bin now have to be disposed of separately. Waste that does not, or no longer, belong in the black bin includes:

• Old textiles: Since textile fibers can be recycled and textile production has a high resource consumption, they no longer belong in the black bin.

• Packaging made of metal, plastic or composite materials: Plastics, metals and composite materials are recyclable materials that no longer belong in the black bin.

• Paper, cardboard and carton: All types of paper must no longer be disposed of in residual waste.

• Glass: In the future, even glass scraps will no longer have a place in the black bin.

• Food waste: In the future, you will no longer be allowed to dispose of your food waste in the general waste bin.

• Batteries: Valuable batteries should also be disposed of in the designated public collection points and not in the black bin.

• Electrical appliances: Electrical appliances contain valuable metals such as copper and therefore must not be disposed of via the black bin.

• Construction waste: The reason construction waste does not belong in the black bin is that its high weight could damage the container.

• All other recyclable materials: As a general rule, no waste containing valuable, recyclable materials may be disposed of in the black bin.

As you can see, one of the main reasons for the new legislation is that recyclable materials can no longer be disposed of in the black garbage bin. The reason is that the waste contained therein would have to be incinerated or sorted again at great expense.

To give you a complete picture of waste separation in Germany and to know how to dispose of the different types of waste correctly, it is necessary at this point to also look at the other bins and their role in waste separation. Below we show which of the waste items listed above belong in which bin.

Waste separation using the blue bin

No household can do without the voluminous blue bin, which is often the largest waste container on the property. And this size is more than justified, because all waste made of paper, cardboard, and corrugated board belongs in this bin. Since the packaging of large products is often made of these materials, the large volume is helpful for disposing of even large packages properly. But everyday household waste also goes into the blue bin, so you also have to dispose of your egg cartons in it after breakfast, for example.

So far, the function of the blue bin sounds quite simple, as paper is usually easy to identify. However, there are also important exceptions that occur daily. You need to be particularly careful with milk cartons. These are generally not made entirely of cardboard. Instead, the inside is often made of plastic. This means that you have to dispose of the empty milk carton either in the recycling bin or in the yellow bag.

Waste separation using the green bin

It's easy to understand which waste belongs in the organic waste bin, as all food scraps go there. Previously, these could also be disposed of in the black bin, but organic waste is recyclable and therefore should always be put in the correct bin. Organic waste is used to produce biogas. You can see how significant this is by considering that the energy contained in a banana peel is enough to power an 11-watt light bulb for approximately 34 minutes.

This belongs in the yellow recycling bag.

The yellow bag or yellow bin remains a mystery to many people when it comes to waste separation. Strictly speaking, you should only dispose of packaging material made of plastic or metal in your yellow bag. If you have a recycling bin instead of a yellow bag, you are even permitted to dispose of solid metal waste, such as broken kitchen appliances like pans or pots.

Glass must be disposed of in appropriate containers.

If you need to dispose of glass, and there isn't a suitable bin on your property, please use the nearest public glass recycling container. It's important to sort the glass by color and place it in the appropriate container. If this rule is followed, the glass can be almost completely recycled to produce high-quality new bottles and containers.

Why is waste separation so important?

Given this organizational effort, you might wonder what justifies this tangle of rules. However, there are compelling reasons for clear waste separation, which is why it's important and worthwhile for private individuals to participate. Below, we'll show you why it's worth taking waste separation to heart and trying to adhere to it.

Reduction of global freshwater pollution

As our list of waste items that can no longer be disposed of in the black bins shows, old textiles play a significant role. The production and disposal of textiles are responsible for 20% of global freshwater pollution. This problem is taking on new dimensions with the current trend towards fast fashion.

The connection to waste separation lies in the fact that waste in the black bin is not recycled, but rather incinerated and destroyed in a costly process. This also requires a lot of water! Therefore, to prevent the environmental impact of textiles from worsening even further, it is important to dispose of them properly in a used clothing container.

Effectively support recycling

The second reason is also related to global resource consumption, but applies to all waste containing materials that can be recycled and reused. The relevance of waste separation in this context becomes clear when considering average resource consumption.

On average, every German citizen consumes 16,000 kg of raw materials per year. Through recycling, for which waste separation is essential, 12% of this consumption can be covered by recycled materials. By making a conscious effort to separate your waste, you can therefore make a significant contribution to increasing this percentage and conserving our planet's resources.

Our tip: Bin enclosures for waste separation

If you feel overwhelmed by these regulations despite our article, don't worry. To ensure you're properly separating your waste, it helps to remind yourself regularly. For example, you could color your bins brightly so you instinctively remember to sort them correctly. We also recommend our bin enclosures for this purpose . These can be ordered pre-painted and offer optimal protection for your bins against pests and the elements.

Conclusion: Waste separation in Germany remains complicated, but worthwhile.

You now have a detailed and practical insight into the waste separation system in Germany. Even though there are many rules to follow, the law passed in 2025 helps to simplify waste separation by clearly defining what no longer belongs in the black bin.

Nevertheless, it can be difficult to conscientiously follow all the regulations. For this reason, we recommend that you devise a system to remind you to separate your waste correctly. For example, painted bin enclosures can help you remember the waste separation rules every day.

Frequently asked questions about proper waste separation

Many misconceptions and dangerous half-truths surround the topic of waste separation. Furthermore, the actual situation is quite unclear. Even though our article provides a practical overview, it's understandable that questions may still arise. Therefore, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions about waste separation and answered them clearly for you below:

Which types of waste are not allowed in the black bin?

Since the new EU-wide directive, waste containing recyclable materials may no longer be disposed of in the black bin.

Where should batteries be disposed of?

Batteries, due to the valuable raw materials they contain and the battery acid they contain, should not be disposed of in private household waste. Instead, they should be taken to public collection points.