In brief: General waste includes items that cannot be recycled and cannot be placed in another recycling bin. Examples include hygiene products such as nappies and tissues, dirty packaging (e.g. greasy pizza boxes), vacuum cleaner bags, ash and broken plastic toys. Electrical appliances, batteries, glass and light bulbs must never go in the general waste bin.
How to Sort Waste: What Goes in the General Waste Bin?
The general waste bin is the final disposal route for household waste. It is used for waste that cannot be recycled. Sorting waste correctly helps protect the environment and saves money. We show you what really belongs in the black or grey bin.
What is general waste?
General waste is the household waste left over after recyclable materials have been separated. This waste is usually incinerated, with the energy used to generate electricity or heat. Proper separation is the basis for efficient recycling.
The quality of waste separation determines the success of recycling. Items placed in the wrong bin destroy valuable raw materials and increase costs for everyone.
What goes in the general waste bin? The clear list
Dispose of the following waste in the general waste bin. This list provides guidance for everyday use.
Hygiene waste and sanitary products
Many hygiene products cannot be recycled because they are made from composite materials.
- Nappies and incontinence products: They contain plastics and superabsorbents.
- Paper tissues and kitchen roll: Especially once they have been used.
- Cotton buds and make-up pads: Even if they are made of paper.
- Razor blades and disposable razors: Wrap them securely.
Important note
Medicines must never go in the general waste bin or down the drain. Take expired medicines to a pharmacy or a specialist hazardous waste collection point.
Dirty packaging and composite materials
Heavily soiled materials interfere with the recycling process.
- Greasy pizza boxes and baking paper: The grease contaminates waste paper.
- Coated paper bags (from bread rolls): The plastic coating cannot be separated.
- Dirty aluminium foil (grill trays): Trapped grease and food residue are the problem.
- Plastic coffee pods: Unless they are part of a dedicated take-back scheme.
Household items and other waste
Broken items made from materials that cannot be separated.
- Vacuum cleaner bags with contents: Household dust and fibres cannot be recovered.
- Candle stubs and wax: If no wick remains.
- Broken plastic toys: Especially if they contain no electronics.
- Leather and textile scraps (very dirty): Clean textiles should go to a textile recycling collection.
- Ash (completely cooled!): From a fireplace, stove or barbecue.
A common mistake is putting small electrical appliances in the general waste bin. They contain valuable metals that must be recycled. This is required by law under the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act.
What must never go in the general waste bin?
These types of waste have their own legally required disposal routes. Separating them is mandatory.
- Waste glass: Put it in glass recycling banks, sorted by colour.
- Paper, cardboard and cartons (clean): Put them in the paper recycling bin.
- Packaging (yellow bag/yellow bin): Plastic, metal and composite packaging.
- Food and garden waste: Compostable kitchen and garden waste.
- Electrical appliances (even the smallest): From cables to energy-saving bulbs.
- Batteries and rechargeable batteries: Return them to a retailer or a hazardous waste collection vehicle.
- Hazardous waste (paints, chemicals): Take it to a hazardous waste collection vehicle or facility.
Top tip
Empty the bin under your sink regularly. Damp food waste or cleaning cloths quickly start to smell. A practical waste separation system such as the
or keeps things organised.
How can I organise household waste sorting?
Good preparation makes disposing of waste correctly much easier. It saves time and stress.
Choose the right bins
Several small bins are often more effective than one large one. Sort waste where it is produced.
In the kitchen, you need at least separate bins for general waste, food waste and packaging. An in-stock double bin such as the
can hold two types of waste. For outdoor use, a weather-resistant system such as the .
Make space and establish routines
Put the waste bins where waste is generated. Keep food waste and general waste in the kitchen; waste paper might be better placed in your home office or hallway.
Empty the small collection bins into the large outdoor bins regularly. This prevents odours and pests. For small, attractive items that help keep things tidy, browse our Little items2 category.
Additional tip
Do not rinse out yoghurt pots completely. A quick scrape is perfectly sufficient. They do not need to be dishwasher-clean. This saves water and energy.
Special cases in everyday life
Some types of waste cause a lot of uncertainty. Here are clear answers.
Toys, CDs and small plastic toys
Broken plastic toys without electronics go in the general waste bin. Donate toys that are still working. Despite being made of plastic, old CDs and DVDs do not belong in the yellow recycling bag. Dispose of them with general waste or take them to a special collection point.
Frying fat and cooking oils
Never pour them down the drain or into the general waste bin. Collect cooled, used fat in a tightly sealable container (e.g. the original tub) and take it to a collection point (recycling centre, and often supermarkets too).
Wallpaper and renovation waste
Old wallpaper scraps belong in general waste, provided they are not vinyl-coated. Larger amounts of construction waste (plaster, tiles, rubble) must be taken to a waste disposal company or recycling centre. They do not belong in the household waste bin.
Make waste sorting easy for children
Children learn by watching adults. Involve them in sorting waste from an early age.
Explain in simple words why sorting waste is important. Use colourful bins or stickers with symbols. For their first attempts at tidying their own room, attractive accessories such as the
or a can provide a nice incentive.
Discover more ideas in our categories for baby muslin cloths and baby burp cloths. In our Christmas toys sale, you may find the next gift that will bring lasting joy and therefore avoid ending up in the bin later.
Conclusion: Clear sorting, clear benefits
Correct waste sorting is not rocket science. Once you know what belongs in the general waste bin, everything else becomes easier. You make a direct contribution to protecting the environment and conserving resources.
Invest in a suitable waste-sorting system for your home. A product such as the
makes it easy. Start today with one thing—for example, never putting batteries in the general waste bin. Every step counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can broken plastic toys go in the general waste bin?
- Yes, broken plastic toys that no longer work and contain no electronics belong in the general waste bin. They are often made from composite materials that cannot be recycled. It is better to donate toys that are still in working order. Never dispose of battery-operated toys in the general waste bin; take them to an e-waste collection point instead.
- Do nappies go in general waste or food waste?
- Nappies always belong in the general waste bin. They are made from plastics, superabsorbents and cellulose, which do not break down in food waste and interfere with composting. Roll up used nappies tightly to contain odours. Discover practical storage solutions for your child's room, such as the baby room for boys or baby room for girls.
- What should I do with a dirty pizza box?
- A pizza box that is heavily stained with grease belongs in the general waste bin. Grease and cheese residues contaminate paper recycling. If the box is only lightly stained, separate the clean sections and put them in the paper recycling. For tidy storage in the kitchen, practical sets such as PRODUCT_5240 are ideal.
- Do vacuum cleaner bags go in the general waste bin?
- Yes, dispose of full vacuum cleaner bags in the general waste bin. The contents consist of household dust, hair and small particles that cannot be recycled. Do not empty the bag, as this can stir up dust. When sorting household waste, look for systems that help keep everything organised.
- Can I put fireplace ash in the general waste bin?
- You can dispose of cold ash from wood or coal in small quantities in the general waste bin. Wrap it in paper or put it directly in the bin. Make absolutely sure that the ash has cooled completely to prevent a fire hazard. Ash from charcoal barbecues also belongs in the general waste bin, not in food waste.
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