Trash & Recycling Rules
Use these phrases to ask about waste separation rules, bin locations, and pickup schedules in a German apartment building.
Key Phrases
Wo stehen die Mülltonnen hier im Haus?
neutralWhere are the trash bins located in this building?
Standard question for neighbors or building staff.
Entschuldigung, könnten Sie mir sagen, wo die Mülltonnen stehen?
politeExcuse me, could you tell me where the trash bins are?
Use this polite form with strangers or older neighbors.
Sag mal, in welche Tonne kommt das hier?
casualHey, which bin does this go into?
Use with flatmates or friendly neighbors.
In welche Tonne gehört dieser Müll eigentlich?
neutralWhich bin does this trash actually belong in?
An welchem Wochentag kommt die Müllabfuhr hier?
neutralOn which day of the week does the garbage truck come here?
Wissen Sie vielleicht, wann die Müllabfuhr die gelben Säcke abholt?
politeDo you perhaps know when the garbage truck picks up the yellow bags?
Polite phrasing when asking the caretaker.
Muss ich die großen Kartons vorher klein machen?
neutralDo I have to flatten the large cardboard boxes first?
Flattening boxes before throwing them away is expected everywhere in Germany.
Dürfen alte Essensreste einfach so in die braune Tonne?
neutralCan leftover food go straight into the brown bin?
Wo finde ich den nächsten Container für Altglas?
neutralWhere do I find the nearest container for waste glass?
Glass recycling containers are usually on the street, not in the courtyard.
Guten Tag, Herr Weber, ich habe eine kurze Frage zum Müll.
politeGood day, Mr. Weber, I have a quick question about the trash.