A2English
Trash & Recycling Rules
Use these phrases to ask about trash rules and recycling in your new apartment.
Key Phrases
Voice
Asking where the trash goes · 3 ways to say it
Where do I put my trash?
casualUS English
Where do I put my rubbish?
casualUK English
Excuse me, where are the bins?
politeUse this with a caretaker or a neighbor
Asking about collection days · 4 ways to say it
When is trash day?
casualUS English
When is bin day?
casualUK English
What day do they collect the trash?
neutralUS English
What day do they collect the rubbish?
neutralUK English
Asking about recycling · 2 ways to say it
What goes in the blue bin?
casualDo I need to sort the recycling?
neutralExplaining sorting rules · 2 ways to say it
Glass goes in the green bin.
casualYou must separate paper and plastic.
neutralPractice Dialogue
New Tenant
Hi, I have a question about the trash.
Caretaker
Sure. What do you need to know?
New Tenant
Where do I put my trash?
Caretaker
The big bins are behind the building.
New Tenant
Okay. Do I need to sort the recycling?
Caretaker
Yes, you must separate paper and plastic.
New Tenant
Right. What goes in the blue bin?
Caretaker
The blue one is for plastic. The green one is for paper.
New Tenant
When is trash day?
Caretaker
They collect it on Tuesday morning. Put your bags out on Monday night.
New Tenant
Great, thanks for the help.
Caretaker
No problem.