Are you living in Amsterdam and unsure where to throw your waste? You’re not alone! Waste separation in the city is well-organized, but it can still be confusing. Every small step in sorting and disposing of waste correctly helps reduce pollution, conserve resources, and support a circular economy. That’s why we’ve created this simple guide to help you dispose of each material the right way and do your part for a cleaner, greener Amsterdam.
Paper and Cardboard (Blue Container)
Collected from homes or nearby underground bins.
✅ What to include:
- Newspapers, magazines, flyers
- Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- Office paper, envelopes
❌ Don’t include:
- Pizza boxes with grease
- Tissues or paper towels
- Wet or dirty paper
Glass – Bottle Banks (Yellow Container)
✅ What to include:
- Glass bottles and jars (wine, sauce, jam)
- No need to remove labels, but rinse if dirty
❌ Don’t include:
- Ceramics or porcelain
- Window glass or mirrors
- Light bulbs
Organic Waste (Green Container)
Not available for every household – only in some neighborhoods.
If you live in a house with a garden or certain parts of the city, you may have a green bin for organic waste (fruit, veggies, garden trimmings). But many Amsterdam households don’t have this option.
✅ What to include:
- Fruit and veggie scraps
- Eggshells
- Coffee grounds and tea bags
- Garden waste (leaves, branches)
❌ Don’t include:
- Meat or fish (raw or cooked)
- Bones or shells
- Dairy products
- Bread or cooked food
- Compostable plastic bags (unless approved for GFT)
Check with the City of Amsterdam website to see if GFT collection is available in your neighborhood. If you don’t have access to a green bin for organic waste, you should put these scraps in the residual waste (grey) bin. While this means your organic waste will be incinerated rather than composted, you can reduce your impact by composting at home if possible - bokashi buckets work well even in small apartments.
Plastic, Metal & Drink Cartons and Residual Waste (Grey Container)
In Amsterdam, you don’t need to separate PMD or residual waste at home because it is sorted later by machines.
✅ What to include:
- Plastic bottles and containers
- Metal cans and tins
- Drink cartons (milk, juice)
- Plastic packaging (bags, trays, film)
- Dirty food packaging
- Styrofoam
- Diapers
- Ceramics or small broken items
- Meat and dairy products
❌ Don’t include:
- Items that belong in other recycling bins, like paper, cardboard, glass, or organic waste
Remember: PMD items only need a quick rinse - no need for perfect cleaning.
Quick tip: You can return eligible plastic and glass bottles, as well as tin cans marked with 'statiegeld', at supermarket collection points (such as Albert Heijn and Jumbo) to earn vouchers you can use right there in-store.
Residual waste cannot be recycled and is burned for energy, so try to minimize it as much as possible.
Textiles – Clothing Collection Points
Often found near supermarkets or in public areas.
✅ What to include:
- Clothes, shoes, towels, sheets
- Even damaged clothing (it’s recycled into insulation or rags)
Tip: Put everything in a closed plastic bag and tie shoes together.
Electronics & Batteries
Bring them to:
- Supermarkets (batteries only)
- Municipal recycling stations (Afvalpunt)
- Shops that sell electronics (they’re required to accept returns!)
✅ What to include:
- Phones, laptops, chargers
- Light bulbs, small appliances
- Batteries
❌ Don’t throw these in your regular bin - they’re harmful for the environment and contain valuable materials.
Hazardous Waste
Needs special disposal at a milieustraat (waste station).
✅ Examples:
- Paint, chemicals
- Nail polish remover
- Medication (return to your pharmacy)
📍 Find your nearest recycling station here.
A few extra tips to waste less in Amsterdam:
- Check your personal waste calendar here.
- Use less packaging by choosing reusable and refillable items
- Shop from sustainable brands that design with the end in mind
- Compost at home if you have space — bokashi buckets are great for apartments!
- Talk about waste with friends and neighbors — the more we know, the better we sort.
Waste management in Amsterdam is changing - and you don’t have to be perfect, but being informed helps. With a few mindful habits, you're not just getting rid of waste… you're becoming part of the solution.
Because what we throw “away” never really goes away. Together, let’s build habits that lead to a cleaner planet.
