Waste Separation

Aerosol spray cans
Aerosol cans that display a hazard symbol contain hazardous waste and should be brought to the recycling yard. If they do not display any hazard symbols and are completely empty, they can be disposed of in the recycling bin.

Aluminum
It is recommended not to rinse aluminum packages but to deposit them in the recycle bin without any residues.

Ash
Ash must be cooled down before being disposed of in the residual waste bin.

Batteries (car)
Car batteries can be returned to retailers or to the recycling yard.

Batteries (other types)
Rechargeable as well as single-use household batteries can be returned to the battery retailer. They can also be taken to the recycling yard. For security reasons, please tape the battery poles before disposal.
Please note: Batteries found in e-bikes are not considered industrial batteries and can therefore not be brought to the recycling yard. Used e-bike batteries can be returned to the bicycle store. Retail, including online retail, is obliged to take back used batteries free of charge.

Batteries (rechargeable)
Rechargeable batteries weighing up to 0.5 kilograms can be returned free of charge to retailers or to the recycling yard. In case you have any questions about the disposal of heavy storage batteries or specific types of batteries; please call 115 to reach the city administration of Mannheim.

Beverage cartons
Beverage cartons should be placed in the recycling bin.

Bicycle tires and tubes
Bicycle tires and tubes need to be put in the residual waste bin.

Bulk waste
Bulk waste is considered waste that is too large to fit into the residual waste bin. The city of Mannheim provides a bulk waste pickup service.

Carpeting
Please schedule a bulk pickup or take carpets to the recycling yard. Large pieces of carpeting need to be cut in small pieces and need to be brought to the recycling yard.

Cassettes
Video and music cassettes should be placed in the residual waste bin.

Cat / Small animal litter
Cat and small animal litter should be disposed of in the residual waste bin.

CDs / DVDs / Blu-ray discs
CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs are be accepted at the recycling yard free of charge. Before disposal, please remember to delete confidential data.

Ceramics / Stoneware
In small quantities, ceramics or stoneware should be disposed of in the residual waste bin. Larger quantities can be brought to the recycling yard.

Christmas trees
The city of Mannheim always conducts a special Christmas tree collection after the 6 January. You can find the exact pickup date in the waste collection calendar under “Christbäume”. Christmas trees should be trimmed to 1.50 meters and placed at the curbside by 6.30 a.m. on the collection day. Decorations need to be removed.

Cigarettes and ash
Cigarettes and ash need to be cooled down before being placed in the residual waste bin.

Construction and renovation waste
Small quantities of building rubble and combustible construction materials should be brought to the recycling yard. Large quantities will only be accepted at the ABG recycling yard (Mannheim). Materials separated by type can be brought to private rubble waste disposal companies.

Cork
Cork is recycled and used for insulating materials. Corks can be brought to the recycling yard.

Deep-frying fat
In small quantities, deep-frying fat can be disposed of in the residual waste bin by pouring it first into a tightly closed container. In case of larger quantities, please call 115 to reach the city administration of Mannheim.

Dog waste
Dog waste should be put into a trash bag and placed in the residual waste bin. On this city map, you will find an overview of all bag dispensers for dog waste. For more information, please click here.

Electronic devices
Electronic devices can be returned to retailers or to the recycling yards free of charge. You can also schedule a bulk pickup if large items need to be disposed of.

Food waste
Food waste should not be disposed of in the toilet as rats could be attracted. Food waste goes in the residual waste bin or in the organic waste bin.

Glass for recycling
Non-refundable glass (wine bottles or mason jars) needs to be disposed of in the glass bin.

Ink cartridges / toner cartridges
Some manufacturers and retailers offer a return service for customers. Alternatively, empty ink and toner cartridges can be brought to the recycling yard.

Energy-saving light bulbs and fluorescent lights
You can dispose of energy-saving bulbs and fluorescent lights by either making use of the retailer’s free-of-charge return service (hardware store) or by bringing them to the recycling yard.

Light bulbs
Light bulbs go into the residual waste bin. Please return energy-saving bulbs and fluorescent lights to the hardware store or the recycling yard. Please also check the manufacturer’s disposal instructions on the package.

Metal
Metal packaging, including large items such as pots and pans, goes into the recycling bin.

Old clothes items and footwear
Footwear, old clothes, fabrics or blankets can either be disposed of in the clothing containers spread throughout the entire city or at a recycling yard.

Paint
Leftover paint needs to be brought to the recycling yard. Dried-up dispersion paint can be put in the residual waste bin. Please throw empty paint pots and cans in the recycling bin.

Pharmaceuticals
Unused or expired medicine must be properly sealed and away from third parties (especially children) be disposed of in the residual waste bin. Please do not dispose of pharmaceuticals by flushing them down the toilet or pouring it down the drain as this would contaminate rivers and groundwater.

Plastic
Plastic packaging needs to be disposed of in the recycling bin. Plastic toys, plastic buckets, plastic hampers etc. also need to be disposed of in the recycling bin.

Recycling bin
Plastic and metal packaging needs to be put in the recycling bin. Items of the same material also need to be disposed of in the recycling bin. These include, for example, toys, flowerpots or plastic buckets, metal pots and pans as well as metal goods such as bolts and tools. These items will be recycled. Proper waste recycling saves resources and reduces residual waste.

Refrigerators
Please schedule a bulk pickup, if refrigerators or cooling appliances have to be disposed of. You can also take them to the recycling yard.

Residual waste
Residual waste is considered all non-recyclable waste such as ash, toiletries or dirty cloths. Hazardous waste and electronic devices are not considered residual waste.

Ring binders
Ring binders need to be thrown in the residual waste bin after having been emptied.

Styrofoam
Styrofoam packaging is to be put in the recycling bin. If you need to dispose of Styrofoam that is used for construction or other insulation purposes please call 115 to reach the city administration of Mannheim.

Toiletries
Toiletries such as cotton swabs, liners, pads, tampons, condoms or diapers go into the residual waste bin. They should never be flushed down the toilet.

Varnish
Varnish is to be treated like hazardous waste and needs to be collected and disposed of separately. It needs to be taken to the recycling yard.

Wallpaper
Whether new or old, wallpaper goes into the residual waste bin.

Waste paper and cardboard packaging
Paper and cardboard packaging can be put into the paper bin. If you have larger amounts of paper or cardboard to recycle, the recycling yard will accept it free of charge.

Windows and window panes
Wood, PVC and metal windows will be accepted, with or without panes, at the ABG recycling yard (Mannheim) at an additional charge. In case of larger quantities, please refer to private waste disposal companies. Under no circumstances, put windows and panes in the glass bin.

Yard and leaf waste
Besides the option of composting yard waste in your own garden, you can also make use of the green waste collection service by the city of Mannheim at no additional charges. For further information, please take a look into the city’s waste collection calendar.