BSR information in English

The Berliner Stadtreinigung (BSR) is responsible for the waste of two million households. It keeps the city's paths and parks clean and ensures that the city's streets are safe for traffic in winter. The BSR also wants to support Berlin on its way to becoming a waste-free capital.

How do the waste disposal and waste separation systems work in Berlin?

The grey household waste bin

As the name suggests, non-recyclable waste includes all waste that cannot be recycled or can only be recycled at great expense.Nevertheless, this waste is not worthless. In fact, we use waste that ends up in the grey non-recyclable waste bins in various ways - including at our modern waste-to-energy plant, where it is converted into both energy and heat.

What should I put in the grey non-recyclable waste bin and what can I not use it for?

The grey household waste bin
These bins can be used for the following:	These bins must NOT be used for the following:
Toiletries and papers, nappies, animal litter Crockery, mirror and window glass Vacuum cleaner bags, general dirt (sweepings) Soiled or coated papers, films, foils, photos Leftover wallpaper, dried paint Ash and ashtray contents	Plastics, such as plastic cups or bottles, metals and composites Glass jars, bottles Paper, cardboard Fruit and food waste, coffee grounds Batteries Electrical appliances Pollutants/contaminants Construction rubble Bulky waste

The organic waste bin

All organic waste belongs in the organic waste bin. This helps protect the environment and the climate. Because we turn the organic waste into compost and biogas. We then use the biogas produced to fuel some of our vehicles, while the fermentation residues help replace chemical fertilisers.

What should I put in the organic waste bin and what should I not use it for?

The organic waste bin
These bins can be used for the following:	These bins must NOT be used for the following:
Leftover food, including cooked food (preferably wrapped in newspaper) Old food Fruit/vegetable scraps, peel, also from citrus fruits Coffee grounds, coffee filters, tea, tea bags, eggshells Green/shrub cuttings, leaves, flowers	Plastics, including even bioplastics Synthetic materials, packaging, films, foils, bags Metals, aluminium foils, cans Toiletries, nappies, vacuum cleaner bags Textiles Cat and small animal litter Treated wood, ash Earth, sand, gravel, stones

The recycling bin

The recycling bin is for packaging and other items made of metal, plastic or composite materials.in Berlin, the recycling bins are yellow. Properly separating recyclable materials (pots and pans, watering cans, cans and packaging such as plastic, metal and composite materials) helps with recycling. This helps preserve scarce raw materials such as crude oil, while also reducing energy consumption and thereby supporting climate protection.In Berlin, the companies ALBA and BSR currently share responsibility for disposal of recyclable materials.

What should I put in the yellow recycling bin and what should I not use it for?

The recycling bin
These bins can be used for the following:	These bins must NOT be used for the following:
Cups, for example for yoghurt, margarine Plastic bottles, for example for care products, washing-up liquids and detergents Everyday objects, such as watering cans, plastic bowls, toys Foils/films, such as wrapping film, plastic bags Foams, such as styrofoam trays used for food Drinks cans, tin cans, bottle caps Pots/pans, tools, cutlery, screws Aluminium foils, lids, trays Drinks cartons	Electrical appliances Energy-saving lamps Batteries Textiles Data carriers Wood Paper Glass Insulation material Pollutants/contaminants

The blue paper bin

Waste paper is an important raw material. When separated correctly, waste paper helps conserve natural resources such as wood and water. In Berlin alone, the separate collection and recycling of cardboard and paper saves more wood every year than the entire Grunewald forest would provide.

What can go in the blue paper bin?

The blue paper bin
These bins can be used for the following:	These bins must NOT be used for the following:
Newspapers, magazines, cartons, cardboard Paper packaging Brochures, catalogues Books, exercise books, writing paper	Leftover wallpaper Soiled paper Coated paper (wax, baking or photo paper) Blue-carbon leaf paper

Glass containers and bins

Used glass can be completely recycled. It can be melted down as often as required without any loss of quality and then processed to produce new bottles, containers and jars.

What should I put in the glass containers/bins and what should I not use these for?

Glass containers and bins
These bins can be used for the following:	These bins must NOT be used for the following:
Bottles, for example for juice, wine, vinegar Jars, for example for jam or baby food  Preserving jars Glass packaging Perfume bottles Medicine bottles It is not necessary to rinse out jars and bottles first. However, please ensure the correct separation of white, green and amber glass. This is important for the subsequent recycling process.	Window glass or mirror shards Incandescent or energy-saving lightbulbs Crockery, porcelain and ceramics Crystal glasses

Bulky waste

You can dispose of up to three cubic metres of bulky waste per delivery with us free-of-charge. Where? At one of our 14 recycling centres www.bsr.de/recyclinghof. Hazardous substances can also be disposed of at six recycling centres. You can also request us to collect your bulky waste at: www.bsr.de/sperrmuell. The price for this starts at €50.

Among other things, bulky waste includes the following:
Dismantled items of furniture (large and small)
Carpets/rugs, mattresses
Wood from internal living areas
Scrap metal, such as old bicycles, prams and similar
Laminate flooring, door frames, door leaves and window frames made of plastic (no glass)
Plastic parts, such as guttering, pipes, cisterns and bathtubs
Electrical appliances
Used textiles (in bags)
Household waste, such as renovation waste in bags or cardboard boxes (to a limited extent)

Too good to throw away? Our upcycling offers:

The "Nochmall" second-hand items shop

You can hand in good-quality used items at the BSR second-hand items shop. After all, many things can be used again. Boasting a total floor space of 2,500 square metres, this shop offers furniture, clothing, electrical appliances, household goods, toys, books and much more for little money. It also hold various workshops and events on the subject of re-use. www.bsr.de/nochmall

BSR "Kieztag" neighbourhood day

Items that are still in good condition can be handed in during the "Kieztag" neighbourhood days. You might even discover something you can use yourself. You can also dispose of bulky waste free-of-charge on "Kieztag" neighbourhood days. www.bsr.de/meinkieztag

Exchange and giveaway market

BSR provides a free online second-hand goods forum in the shape of the exchange and giveaway market. Things that are simply too good to throw away can be given a new lease on life here. www.bsr.de/verschenkmarkt

"Kiez" neighbourhood locker

Lock boxes can be booked individually in the "Kiez" neighbourhood locker and then used to hand over items. You can give away, swap, store (short-term) or forward items to the "Nochmall" second-hand items shop via our neighbourhood lockers. www.kiezlocker.bsr.de

repami: Repair rather than throw away

Would you like to give defective items a second life? If so, you can find the right contacts, including certified workshops and repair cafés, on the repami platform, Berlin's quality repair network. www.repami.de