Trash & Recycling Rules
Use these phrases when moving into a new apartment to ask your caretaker or neighbors about the building's trash and recycling rules.
Key Phrases
¿Dónde pongo las bolsas de basura?
casualWhere do I put the trash bags?
A natural way to ask a roommate or neighbor where the trash goes.
¿Dónde están los contenedores de basura?
neutralWhere are the trash bins?
The standard question to ask anyone about the location of the communal bins.
¿Tengo que separar el plástico y el papel?
casualDo I have to separate the plastic and the paper?
Use this to check the basic recycling expectations with a neighbor.
Disculpe, ¿hay reglas para el reciclaje aquí?
politeExcuse me, are there recycling rules here?
A polite way to ask a caretaker or building manager about the building's system.
¿Qué día viene el camión de la basura?
casualWhat day does the garbage truck come?
A very common, everyday way to ask when the trash is picked up.
¿Cuándo van a recoger la basura?
neutralWhen are they going to collect the trash?
More direct and focuses on the action of the collection itself.
¿El cartón va en el contenedor azul?
casualDoes the cardboard go in the blue bin?
In Spain, blue is for paper/cardboard, yellow for plastic/cans, and green for glass.
¿Qué pongo en el contenedor amarillo?
neutralWhat do I put in the yellow bin?
Useful for clarifying which bin is meant for which material.
¿Dónde puedo dejar los muebles viejos?
neutralWhere can I leave old furniture?
Use this to ask the caretaker about disposing of bulky waste like furniture.