Table of content:
Recycling trash bins
All our homes have recycling containers at your disposal in the kitchen.
In order to gain space, some homes with Regular services might have the most common trash (bio waste, general waste), however recycling is still required.
Please take a look at the basic illustrations for the recycling signs in your city below and visit the websites provided for more information before you take action.
You can find out more 👉 here.
How to return bottles?
There is a bottle return system called the Pfand system. When you purchase certain products, you pay a deposit (Pfand) for the bottle. When you return the empty bottle, you get your deposit back. This encourages people to return their empty bottles. The empty bottles are then reused or recycled.
How to identify the Pfand bottles?
You can recognize Pfand bottles by looking at their labels, usually near the barcode. You have to look closely. Some bottles use logos and some useful keywords.
Where to return bottles?
• Supermarket: look for bottle return machines. They are either near the entrance, or at the back of the store. The machine will print a coupon that can be exchanged at the cash register.
• Liquor stores: if you have a lot of bottles to return, this is the right place. They will rarely accept anything but beer bottles.
• Spätis: Spätis will accept the bottles they sold you. They are not a good place to return a lot of bottles.
A general rule of thumb: If a place sells Pfand bottles, it also accepts bottle returns. However, please be aware that stores do not need to accept bottle types they don't sell. Even if a bottle has a deposit, the store can still refuse it.
For glass bottles that are not a part of the Pfand system - Special bins & where to find them?
If you're in doubt of where the nearest bottle recycling bin can be found, you can search for one using this website.
Who takes care of taking the trash out?
Members have the full responsibility to properly sort the waste in the correct trash bins. The housekeeper will not re-sort if it is not properly done beforehand, and that could lead to trash bins not being taken out.
Housekeepers take out the trash on their designated cleaning days only.
When the trash is full outside of those days, please take it down to the courtyard into the trash containers yourself.
Housekeepers do not take care of the Pfand. Housekeepers will not take care of overflowing trash bins, full bags/bins, or too heavy bags, extra cleaning due to private parties. Please reach out to us if you have more questions.