Waste separation made easy Where to put it?

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Waste system underground

Above ground, only the narrow drop-in columns for household waste, paper, glass and recyclables are visible. But hidden underground behind them are the practical underground containers of the Berlin city cleaning service. They replace up to five conventional 1,100-litre bins.

Blue, brown, yellow, black – into the bin. But which ones? We solve mysterious waste cases and give valuable tips on how to separate them.

headphones

Headphones do not belong in household waste. They can be disposed of free of charge at any recycling center or with the nearest official bulky waste collection service.

Teabag

With the bag, string, clip, paper label and tea leaves, this small piece of everyday waste is a very tricky case. If you want to solve it perfectly, dispose of the paper in the paper bin, the tea leaves in the organic waste and the rest in the household waste. However, according to the BSR, it is also perfectly OK to dispose of the entire tea bag in the organic waste bin.

Envelope with window

Even if the viewing window is made of plastic, it can actually be put in the paper bin. It can easily be sorted out in the recycling process. The same applies to staples and paper clips.

lightbulbs

The following applies here: not all lamps are the same. A normal halogen or incandescent lamp can be disposed of in the household waste bin (not in the glass bin!). However, LEDs and energy-saving lamps must be taken to the recycling center.

Bulk packaging

The obvious solution: break it down into as small pieces as possible and then put it in the paper bin or take it to the recycling center.

Pizza box

Difficult case: If there are light grease stains, they go in the paper bin; if they are heavily soiled, they go in the general waste bin. (And pizza leftovers go in the organic waste bin.)

Cotton pad (alternatively cotton swab)

Whether it's a cotton swab, cotton pad or facial tissue - used hygiene products like these belong in the black residual waste bin and definitely not in the toilet! Tip: A used, non-electronic toothbrush is also residual waste, as the material cannot be recycled.

Photo paper

Even if we are talking about photo paper, photos should never be thrown in the paper bin - the coating would contaminate the paper waste. Photos should therefore be disposed of in the general waste bin (preferably shredded).

Styrofoam

Whether in the form of pellets, fruit bowls or electrical packaging, polystyrene waste belongs in the yellow bin.

Cuddly toy

Small stuffed animals can be disposed of in the household waste bin just like old rags or smaller pieces of fabric. However, if the old stuffed animal is very large, it should be taken to the nearest recycling center.

handkerchiefs

Used tissues should be thrown in the black bin, unused ones in the paper bin. And definitely not in the toilet - risk of blockage.

Broken socks

Small, torn and broken textiles should be disposed of in the residual waste.

Pots & Pans

Small scrap items (including nails or metal tools) contain valuable materials and can be placed in the yellow (or orange) bin.

receipt

Not all paper is created equal and in this case it is usually thermal paper. That is why it is better to dispose of receipts in the general waste bin.

Toaster

Not for the garbage can. Dispose of at the recycling center, in an electronics store or in a supermarket that also sells electrical appliances.

Coffee filter bags

Paper filter bags and of course the coffee grounds can be disposed of in the organic waste bin with a clear conscience. The classic filter bag will rot over time. But not aluminum coffee capsules - they belong in the household waste.

Kitchen paper

Used kitchen paper (or paper towels) can be disposed of in the organic waste bin. In fact, the BSR even recommends throwing organic waste into the bin wrapped in paper towels or newspaper. This effectively absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors.

Flowers are known to wilt and rot far too quickly. They can therefore be disposed of in the organic waste bin. Elements made of non-natural materials should be removed beforehand. Good to know: potting soil belongs in the household waste and not in the organic waste.

Fish bones and bones

Leftovers such as meat bones or fish bones are very welcome in every biogas plant, as they are very conducive to the formation of bacteria. So they should be put in the brown organic waste bin.

Peel

While you have to sort things a little more carefully when composting at home, all natural peels can be disposed of in the organic waste bin – from A like pineapple to Z like citrus fruit.

Leftover food

Whether spoiled and uncooked or cooked and not eaten, leftover food should never be thrown down the toilet. It always belongs in the organic waste (without packaging, of course).