I Live in Saarland!
Germany is well known for its waste separation and recycling system. Waste disposal is organized locally, so the responsible provider and collection system may vary depending on where you live. In Saarbrücken, waste collection is managed by the Zentraler Kommunaler Entsorgungsbetrieb (ZKE).
Household waste is generally separated into different categories:
- Paper and cardboard (Altpapier/Papiertonne): Blue container
- Biodegradable waste (Biomüll/Biotonne): Usually a brown or green container, depending on the municipality
- Lightweight packaging (Gelbe Tonne/Gelber Sack): Yellow container or bag
- Residual waste (Restmüll): Gray or black container
Glass packaging without a deposit (Pfand) should generally be taken to a public glass recycling container (Altglascontainer) if your building does not have a dedicated collection option. Glass should usually be separated by color according to the containers provided.
Glass recycling containers can be noisy, so their permitted usage times may be restricted. Check the information displayed on your local container and avoid disposing of glass on Sundays and public holidays or outside the permitted hours.
Do not dispose of household waste by flushing it down the toilet or pouring it into the sink. Items such as wipes, sanitary products, food waste, oils, chemicals, and other household waste must be disposed of appropriately.
You can check the waste collection schedule for your address using the website of your local waste disposal provider. For Saarbrücken, the ZKE collection calendar allows you to search using your address. Please note that some of the information may only be available in German.
To check the collection dates:
- Select the first letter of your street under Anfangsbuchstabe Straße.
- Select your street under Straße.
- Enter your house number under Hausnummer.
- Click Weiter to view the collection dates for your address.
I Live in Hannover!
Waste collection in the Hannover Region is managed by aha (Zweckverband Abfallwirtschaft Region Hannover). The collection system may vary depending on your address and the type of accommodation.
Household waste is separated into different categories, including:
- Paper and cardboard (Altpapier)
- Biodegradable waste (Bioabfall)
- Lightweight packaging (Gelber Sack/Gelbe Tonne)
- Residual waste (Restabfall)
- Glass packaging (Altglas)
Depending on where you live, waste may be collected using bins, bags, or other designated collection systems. Make sure to follow the collection instructions for your specific address and put out your waste at the appropriate time.
You can find more information in English here.
Last updated: August 14, 2026, 2:21 am