Recycling and Sorting Garbage in Frankfurt

Abfallcontainer Frankfurt and sorting are an integral part of daily life in Germany. As a country with an affinity towards technology and industrial developments, it is no surprise that Germany is a world leader in large-scale waste reduction, recycling, and reuse programs. It is very important for residents of Frankfurt to separate their trash correctly at home and to learn the specific garbage collection schedule for their area. This way they can help the city to reach a sustainable goal of zero garbage.

For example, clean paper products belong in the blue bin (Blaue Tonne), and garbage and packaging made of plastic or soft metals with the Green Dot (Der grune Punkt) go in the yellow bin or a yellow bag. In some cities, a residential Bio-tonne is also available for compostable products such as leaves and flowers.

Choosing the Right Waste Container in Frankfurt

Empty PE-packagings with the eco-friendly combustion option are collected in designer bins (Renomats) as well as in normal waste garbage cans on the bridges. They undergo a disinfecting pre-cleaning process and then are returned to the product manufacturers. This reduces the number of empty trips that trash trucks need to make and makes more use of the energy-efficient CO2 recovery technology.

Glass is recycled using white, green, and brown containers that can be found throughout the city or on your town’s resource website. It is very important to recycle glass during the right days, however. It cannot be placed out for trash collection on Sundays or holidays, nor during quiet hours (Ruhezeiten). It is also helpful to remember that re-useable bottles and other glass drinking containers must be returned after purchase to the original retailer.