Waste and recycling in Munich: bins, recycling islands and the new yellow bin

Every property in Munich must have at least one bin each for residual waste, paper and organic waste.

• Grey bin - residual waste (Restmüll): everything that cannot be recycled. It is incinerated in the Munich North combined heat and power plant. Batteries, rechargeable batteries and gas cylinders do not belong in it. Waste fees are charged on residual waste only.
• Blue bin - paper (Papier): newspapers, catalogues, letters, flattened cardboard and clean paper bags.
• Brown bin - organic waste (Bioabfall): kitchen and garden waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and leaves. No plastic bags, not even bags labelled "compostable".

Collection days are in the AWM's online collection calendar (Abfuhrkalender).

Munich has more than 900 recycling islands (Wertstoffinseln) with containers for glass, cans and aluminium, and plastics.

• Packaging must be empty, but you do not need to rinse it (rinse honey jars).
• You do not need to remove lids from glass jars.
• Sort glass by colour: white, brown and green; other colours go into the green glass container.
• Observe the disposal times shown on the containers, and never leave bags or boxes next to them.

Following a city council decision in July 2025, Munich is introducing the yellow bin for lightweight packaging (plastic, metal and composite packaging such as drinks cartons) citywide. According to the AWM in 2026:

• Bins are distributed from October 2026; you do not need to order one. Do not fill them before the end of 2026. Collection starts in early 2027, every two weeks.
• Sizes are 120, 240, 770 and 1,100 litres; neighbours can share a bin.
• Collection is organised by the dual systems (Duale Systeme) and carried out by two private companies: KNETTENBRECH + GURDULIC in Munich East (free hotline 0800 505 2 505) and RMG Rohstoffmanagement in Munich West (free hotline 0800 400 600 5). Your building management or the company will tell you the collection dates.
• There is no direct cost to residents; the scheme is financed through licence fees paid by manufacturers.
• The yellow bins replace the lightweight packaging containers at the recycling islands; glass containers remain. Recycling centres will not accept lightweight packaging.

Check the AWM FAQ on the yellow bin for the latest dates in your area.

The AWM runs 12 recycling centres in the city, including three larger Wertstoffhöfe plus in Freimann, Langwied and Steinhausen. They are generally open on working days, typically 8:00 to 18:00, with last entry 15 minutes before closing; check the hours of each centre.

• Munich households can bring up to 2 m³ of bulky waste per day free of charge (about one car load) and up to 1 m³ of garden waste. Larger quantities are accepted for a fee at the Plus centres.
• They accept bulky waste, wood, metal, cardboard, electrical and electronic devices, batteries, old clothes and items in good condition for the AWM's second-hand department store Halle 2.
• Bring proof of a Munich address, such as your ID card or registration certificate; only Munich households may deliver.
• They do not accept tyres, packaging or residual waste.

If you cannot transport large items yourself, order the AWM's paid bulky waste pickup online. In 2026 it costs a €50 call-out fee plus €20 per started cubic metre. Pickups take place Monday to Friday between 7:30 and 14:00, usually one to two weeks after your order; the AWM calls about three days in advance with the date. Cancel by email by noon the day before; a missed pickup costs €50.

Solvents, wood preservatives and paint strippers, cleaning and disinfecting agents, acids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and similar items must not go into any bin. Take them to a recycling centre (not Nymphenburg/Arnulfstraße) or to the mobile collection vehicle (Giftmobil), which accept up to 25 kg per day free of charge. Check the Giftmobil timetable for stops near you.

Many bottles and cans carry a deposit (Pfand) and are returned to shops rather than recycled at the islands. See shopping and Sundays and the culture note on recycling and Pfand.