Germany is the country with the world's number one recycling system. The country has a quite detailed way of sorting their waste – down to the colour of the glass waste you wished to throw away, the type of paper that could be put inside the paper waste bin, separate bin for metals, another different bin for plastic, another different bin for ceramic or broken glass, etc.

 

德国拥有世界最好的循环利用体系。该国的废弃物分类十分细致——细到根据玻璃的颜色分别丢弃，根据纸张的类型确定能否扔进纸张回收箱，金属、塑料、陶瓷、碎玻璃等也都有各自不同的回收箱。

 

Here below are what you should know about Germany's waste sorting system:

 

·You are expected to gather your waste in your apartment/housing area's local public garbage bins along with the other residents.

 

·There are commonly 7 public garbage bins available in the German's apartment/housing area:

 

1. Blue bin – for paper and cardboard, greasy pizza box goes to the gray bin!

2. Green and white bin – for glass, different bins for different glass colors, not available for Christmas ornaments and light bulbs!

3. Yellow/orange bin – for plastic and metals

4. Brown bin – biodegradable2 goods

5. Gray/black bin – everything else that can't be recycled such as used diaper, kitty litter, animal waste, and ashes

 

·Some items do not belong in your apartment/housing area's public garbage bins. Items like used batteries, electronics, unused paints, light bulbs, and appliances must be returned to the special agents/locations so they can be recycled. Other items such as clothes, shoes, and oversized trash and furniture are advised to be sold or donated.

 

·There's this thing called Pfand3 in Germany, a certain portion of the price on a bottled drink that you get back if you return said bottle to a certified outlet. German law requires all shops over a certain size selling bottled drinks have to have a Pfandrückgabestelle4, or place to return bottles with deposits.