Recycling :
Germany
Recycling
Germany is big on recycling. In general, anything that can't be recycled needs to be paid for when it comes to removing it, however anything which can be recycled is free. It's well worth learning and understanding this system to help reduce your costs. All bins are colour coded. Below is the official colour system, however some regions may vary. Please verify for your own area.
Green - Paper
Envelopes, books, catalogues, illustrations, cartons, writing pads, brochures, writing paper, school books, washing detergent cartons without plastic, newspapers, paper boxes
Brown - Biological waste
Kitchen waste: old bread, eggs shells, coffee powder and filters, food leftovers, tea leaves and tea filters
Fruit and vegetables: peels, apple cores, leaves, nutshells, fruit stones and pips, lettuce leaves
Garden waste: soil, hedge trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, weeds, dead flowers, and twigs
Other: feathers, hair, kitchen towels, tissues, sawdust, and straw
Yellow - Plastics/Packaging etc
Aluminium foil, plastic wrap, inside packaging materials
Tins, cans, liquids refill sachets/bags, yogurt cups, body lotion bottles
Plastic bags, margarine tubs, milk sachets, plastic packaging trays for fruit and vegetables, screw-top bottle tops, detergent bottles, carry bags, vacuum packaging, dishwashing liquid bottles
Grey - Household waste
Ash, wire, carbon paper, electrical appliances, bicycle tubes, photos, broken glass, bulbs, chewing gum, personal hygiene articles, nails, porcelain, rubber, plastic ties, broken mirrors, vacuum cleaner bags, street sweeping dirt, carpeting pieces, diapers, cigarette butts, miscellaneous waste
For those areas using "yellow bags" for packaging etc, you can pick those up for free from your local Rathause. Make sure you speak with neighbours or the local council to find out the rules for your area.