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New: info for your city – offices, bulky waste and property-tax rates
Topicdrill – Germany explained simply

Germany explained simply – moving, offices & paperwork in English

Free tool

Disposal finder

Enter the item and your postcode – and see where it goes, what it costs and how to book a pickup.

  • 30 items
  • Info for your city
  • Recycling centre opening hours
  • No sign-up

Where does it go?

How the disposal finder works

  1. STEP 01Enter the itemSynonyms work too – “couch” finds the sofa. German words work as well.
  2. STEP 02Add your postcodeThen you see costs, free pickups and recycling centres (Wertstoffhöfe) in your city.
  3. STEP 03Choose the waySperrmüll pickup, recycling centre, shop take-back or hazardous-waste collection – in recommended order.
  4. STEP 04Book a pickupGo straight to your city's Sperrmüll booking.

FAQ

Q01Is bulky-waste pickup (Sperrmüll) free?

Each city decides. Some offer free pickups per year, others charge per pickup or per cubic metre.

Q02Do shops have to take back old electrical devices?

Larger electronics shops and many supermarkets that sell electrical goods must take back old devices – small devices up to 25 cm often even without buying something new. Please check the current ElektroG rules.

Q03Where do leftover paints go?

Liquid paints and varnishes go to the hazardous-waste collection (Schadstoffmobil). Fully dried emulsion paint may go into general waste (Restmüll).