Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture Authority

Disposing of recyclable materials

Here you will find information on the disposal and recycling of valuable materials from your private household.

Detailed description

You can dispose of recyclables in the yellow recycling bins and bags. Recyclables include sales packaging made of plastic, metal, and composite materials. Other items made of these materials also qualify as recyclables, known as non-packaging items made of the same material. These include, for example, ordinary household items that are not contaminated and consist of at least 50% plastic or metal.

 

Information

Prerequisites

You want to dispose of your recyclable materials.

Documents required

no

Please note

The following belong in the yellow recycling bins and bags:

  • Plastics and metals such as:
    • Non-deposit beverage cans
    • canned goods
    • Pet food bowls and aluminum bags for pet food
    • Tubes for mayonnaise, tomato paste or mustard
    • Lids, crown caps and screw caps
    • Aluminum foil and aluminum grill trays
    • Clothes hanger
    • Cutlery, pans, pots, kitchen grater or can opener
    • Nails and fittings, tools
  • Plastics such as:
    • yogurt and quark cups
    • Non-deposit PET beverage bottles
    • screw caps
    • Washing and dishwashing detergent bottles, toothpaste and cream tubes, shampoo bottles
    • Plastic bags, garbage bags, freezer or breakfast bags, cling film
    • Toys, games, felt-tip pens
    • Office supplies made of plastic
    • Apertures, switches
    • Shower curtains, clothes hangers, cleaning buckets
    • Folding boxes, transport boxes
    • Gloves
    • Film cartridges
    • Pump spray bottles
  • Composite materials such as:
    • Milk and juice cartons
    • Packaging made of aluminum and plastic, for example for instant soups
    • Packaging made of aluminum and paper, for example butter packaging
  • Examples of non-packaging materials used in packaging include:
    • plastic or metal bowl
    • plastic or metal bucket
    • Plastic children's toys
    • Plastic flower pots
    • Metal tool
  • The following do not belong in the yellow recycling bin:
    • Glass, paper and cardboard
    • Used clothing and textiles
    • Electrical appliances and batteries
    • Problem substances

Deadlines



Recyclable materials are collected every two weeks.


Please place your recyclables at the curb by 6 a.m.

Procedure

  • As a tenant, you can order your yellow recycling bin through your landlord.
  • If you are a property owner, please contact the Hamburg city cleaning department with your customer number.
  • Yellow recycling bags are available at the recycling centers of the Hamburg city cleaning department or by subscription order under "WERT Wertstoff Einsammlung" - Order Yellow Bags.
  • Do you put your recyclables out for collection yourself? Please ensure that the bin does not endanger road users.

Processing time



Recyclable materials are collected according to the Hamburg city cleaning department's collection calendar.

Fees

no

Legal remedies

No legal remedy is provided.

Legal basis

§ 46 of the German Recycling Management Act (KrWG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/krwg/__46.html

Forms and downloads

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information

Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture Authority

Waste Management

We have a limited number of customer parking spaces. To reserve a parking space, please contact our receptionist by e-mail at zugang@bsw.hamburg.de or by telephone on +49 40 428 40 - 50 50. Our working hours are: Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m , Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Haven't found the right one yet?

To Hamburg Service startpage

Keywords: Recycling - waste & disposal Recycling of valuable materials Used glass - waste & disposal Recovered paper - waste & disposal Biowaste, garden waste, leaves residual waste Packaging, metals, plastics Old clothes, old textiles Waste prevention Deposit cup

Last updated: 06.02.2026