Trash and Recycling - Munich

Table of content:

Recycling trash bins

Pfand bottles

Who takes care of the trash bins?

All our homes have recycling containers available in the kitchen.

♻️ In some apartments with Regular Services, only the most common trash bins (bio waste, general waste) may be available. However, recycling is still required!

Please check out the basic recycling signs for your city and visit the websites provided before disposing of waste.
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You can find out more 👉 here.

Germany has 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 system promotes bottle reuse and recycling.

Pfand bottles can be recognized by their labels, usually near the barcode. Some bottles use specific Pfand logos, while others have keywords that indicate they are returnable.

• Supermarkets – Most have bottle return machines near the entrance or at the back of the store. These machines will print a coupon that can be redeemed at checkout.
• Liquor Stores – Ideal for returning beer bottles in large quantities, but they rarely accept other bottle types.
• Spätis (Convenience Stores) – They only accept bottles they sold you. Not ideal for returning large quantities.

⚠️ Reminder: Stores that sell Pfand bottles must accept returns, but they are not required to accept bottles they don’t sell. Even if a bottle has a deposit, a store can still refuse it.

For glass bottles without a Pfand deposit, use the special glass recycling bins found across the city.

Find the nearest bottle recycling bin Glass Recycling Locations in Munich.

If you're in doubt of where the nearest bottle recycling bin can be found, you can search for one using this website.

✅ Members are responsible for correctly sorting waste into the appropriate bins.
⛔ Housekeepers will not re-sort incorrectly sorted trash, which may result in bins not being taken out.

• Housekeepers take out the trash only on designated cleaning days.
• If the trash is full outside of those days, members must take it down to the courtyard trash containers themselves.
• Housekeepers do NOT handle Pfand bottles. Members must return Pfand bottles themselves.
• Housekeepers will not take care of overflowing trash bins, extra cleaning after parties, or heavy/unbagged trash.

❗ Important: This only applies to apartments with Regular Services.
Members living in non-serviced apartments have full responsibility for sorting and taking out the trash.

For more information, visit 👉 Munich Waste Disposal Services 🗑️