Procedure descriptions

Recycle materials

What are recyclable materials?
Recyclables are used materials and packaging that, after use, can be transformed into new products, reused or broken down into valuable raw materials. For example, an old plastic bottle can be turned into a new bottle, or a tin can can be turned into a new bicycle frame. Recyclables have a high material and energy value because the raw materials they contain can be reused.
 
Why is sorting so important?
By collecting recyclable materials separately, we return them directly to the economic cycle. This conserves valuable natural resources, saves energy and reduces CO₂ emissions.
However, this only works if the materials are carefully sorted at home. Any mistakes made when sorting at home are almost impossible to rectify at the waste management companies’ sorting facilities. Waste placed in the wrong bins can disrupt recycling processes or even make them impossible. Proper sorting is therefore an active form of environmental protection, with every household playing a direct part.

Responsible authority

  • For residual waste, organic waste or paper and cardboard (including, amongst other things, newspapers and magazines, but not packaging): the public waste management authority.
    The public waste management authority is the city or district authority; in some cases, it operates as a municipal enterprise or in the legal form of a legal entity under public or private law.
  • The collection, disposal and recycling of sales packaging (lightweight packaging, glass, paper, paperboard and cardboard) are the responsibility of dual systems organised under private law, which usually commission a private waste management company to carry out the collection.
  • In most cases, the paper bin is intended for both printed paper (newspapers, magazines) and sales packaging made of paper, paperboard and cardboard. In the majority of cases, emptying the bin is the responsibility of the public waste management authorities.
Eigenbetrieb Abfallwirtschaft [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]

Details

Prerequisite

none

Procedure

How to recycle materials correctly:

Step 1: Prepare recyclable materials

  • Before disposing of recyclable materials such as packaging, please separate them as far as possible into their individual material components and dispose of them via the relevant collection schemes (see Step 2).
  • Example: yoghurt pot – Remove the aluminium lid completely from the plastic pot and remove the paper sleeve, if present. Place all three parts (aluminium, plastic, paper) separately and loosely into the yellow bin or yellow bag, or via the packaging collection scheme offered by your local authority or district council. Many packaging items already provide useful guidance on this.

Step 2: Choose the right bin

  • Used glass:
    • Where to dispose of it? At recycling centres or via glass recycling bins (for example, the so-called ‘Iglu’ bins at local recycling points).
    • Note the colour separation: When disposing of used glass, ensure it is separated by colour into white, green and brown. Blue or other coloured glass belongs in the container for green glass.
    • What can go in? Only glass that has been used as sales packaging (such as bottles or preserving jars) should be placed in the containers.
    • What should NOT be put in? Other glass products , such as crockery, vases or mirrors, have a different chemical composition. They impair the recycling process or make it completely impossible. You must dispose of these materials with general waste.
  • Waste paper/cardboard:
    • Where should it be disposed of? In the (blue) paper bin or directly at recycling centres. In addition, in many local authorities, voluntary organisations also organise regular collections of waste paper/cardboard/paperboard.
    • What can be put in? Anything made of paper, cardboard or carton can go in the paper bin. This includes packaging such as boxes, bags, carrier bags and paper wrappers (e.g. from yoghurt pots), as well as envelopes, leaflets, newspapers and books.
  • Empty packaging made of plastic, aluminium and tinplate:
    • Where should they be disposed of? In the yellow bag or the yellow bin. In some towns and districts, it is also possible or required to take them to recycling centres.
    • What can be put in it? Only empty retail packaging that is not made of paper, cardboard or glass. This mainly includes packaging made of plastic, aluminium and tinplate, such as tins, drinks cartons, food packaging and plastic film packaging.
    • Special feature of the recycling bin: In some rural or urban districts, there are special recycling bins. You can also dispose of other plastic or metal items that are not packaging (so-called ‘non-packaging items made of the same material’ , such as plastic tableware, children’s toys or frying pans) in these bins. If your local authority does not provide these recycling bins, these items can usually be taken to the recycling centre or disposed of with general waste.
  • Organic waste:
    • Where should it be disposed of? In the organic waste bin.
  • Large quantities: For very large quantities of recyclables that exceed normal household amounts, disposal must be arranged independently through private recycling companies.

Check with your local council to find out how and where you can dispose of recyclable materials in your area.

Note: Most local authorities publish waste collection calendars. These will tell you the collection dates and the types of collection.

Deadlines

none

Required documents

none

Costs

The dual systems, which are organised under private law, are responsible for the collection, disposal and recycling of sales packaging made of plastic, composite materials, glass, paper, paperboard or cardboard. There are no separate costs, as manufacturers have already paid the dual systems for subsequent recycling when the packaging was placed on the market.

The costs for residual waste, organic waste and graphic paper made of paper, paperboard or cardboard are determined in accordance with the local authority’s schedule of charges. If you have any questions, please contact your local public waste management authority.

Processing time

various

Miscellaneous

none

Legal basis

Die jeweilige örtliche Satzung beziehungsweise für Verkaufsverpackungen das Verpackungsgesetz (VerpackG) sowie die EU-Verpackungsverordnung (PPWR).

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Umweltministerium Baden-Württemberg, 01.06.2026