Starting in May, the rules for throwing away organic waste (Biomüll) will change in Germany. Here’s what residents need to know:

Germany to introduce new organic waste disposal rules

Germany’s already strict rubbish disposal rules are set to get stricter. From May 1, 2025, residents across all federal states will have to dispose of their Biomüll more carefully, or risk a fine of up to 2.500 euros.

Currently, all households in Germany must separate their rubbish into yellow (cans, cartons and plastic), blue (paper and cardboard) and brown (organic waste) bins, alongside throwing away glass at glass recycling points.

There is a certain margin of error allowed for accidentally sorting rubbish into the wrong bin. Under the new rules, if rubbish collectors find that more than 3 percent of the contents of an organic waste bin is non-organic waste, the responsible household could face a fine.

Such a fine already exists and is set at a maximum of 1.500 euros. According to the news website inFranken.de, local authorities could charge the household as much as 2.500 euros for their error under the new rules.

How will Germany’s new Biomüll disposal rules be enforced?

Recently, some local authorities in Germany have been using AI to determine whether organic waste bins contain non-organic waste. Other than that, Germany’s new Biomüll disposal rules will continue to be enforced in pretty much the same way after May.

In cases where local waste disposal authorities can clearly determine who incorrectly sorted their Biomüll, e.g. they collect one bin from one individual house, then the tenant or homeowner may be fined.

In the case where Biomüll is disposed of in communal bins in the courtyard or garden area of an apartment building with multiple residents, these residents will share the cost of the fine. If the residents are renting, the fine may appear as an increased utility bill (Nebenkosten) from the landlord.

What goes in the brown Biomüll bin in Germany? What doesn't?

While all of these rules, the risk of high fines and potential quarrels with neighbours or landlords might sound worrying, it is relatively easy to sort your Biomüll waste correctly in Germany.

Put simply by the German Consumer Advice Centre (Verbraucherzentrale), “all plant-based kitchen and garden waste can be disposed of in the Biomüll”. Exceptions to this rule include oil, fat and large pieces of wood.

Items which residents often think go in the Biomüll bin but should be disposed of elsewhere include: cat litter and faeces from other animals, ashes, hygiene products, wood which has been treated (e.g. with paint or varnish) and anything which is not biodegradable.

You should also consider which container you use to throw away your rubbish. Unless you take your indoor, reusable Biomüll bin directly to the communal bin, you will need to line your indoor Biomüll bin with a bag made of paper or biodegradable plastic.

But be aware, not all such bags are suitable for this. For example, paper bags lined with a plastic coating are forbidden, or certain plastic-like disposable bags are not permitted in most administrative areas. The Verbraucherzentrale encourages residents to empty indoor containers directly into the outdoor bin or line their indoor bin with newspaper or a bag made entirely of paper.

While you can use a small piece of paper or cardboard to soak up liquid in your Biomüll bin, paper and cardboard should generally be thrown away in the blue bin.

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