What is GOA and why should I pay for it ?

Image: deutschtraining.org 

The German way of domestic waste recycling

Germans are known for their discipline and rules. Germany is having one of the worlds best waste management system, for foreigners it may seem a little complicated to understand it initially. So, it is very important that one knows the below information for hassle free waste disposal.

GOA is the organisation handling the waste collection and disposal in Germany. All the info provided below is stipulated by the GOA for German residents, to follow, in case of noncompliance huge fines will be imposed. All the residents have to pay for recycling their domestic waste, the info regarding the GOA payments have to be provided in Rathhaus during city registration. Many of the house owners pay it by themselves, in some cases tenants have to pay it out of their pocket. So, check for this point in the your rental agreement.

Mandatory info

Yellow bag - All the recyclable materials

- Plastic packaging material (food packaging, chips packets etc.,)
- Bottles and tins (cool drinks, fruit juices, oil etc.,)
- Trays
- Aluminum cans (Spray bottles etc.,)

For more info see Gelber Sack

Orange bag - Bio degradable materials

- Vegetables and fruit
- Paper hand tissues
- Eggs shells
- Bones etc.,

For more info see Bio müll

Blue bin - Paper

- Notebooks
- Newspaper
-Advertisement placards

For more info see Blaue tonne

General waste

- old suitcases
- carpets
- small furniture

For more info see Restmüll

Glass waste is gathered collectively from an area, there will be three different glass containers for different colors of glass white, green and brown. Also there will be collection bins for old clothes and footwear.

Additional info

Garden bin - Garden waste (Optional, available only on request)

- Dried leaves
- plants and twigs (with no soil remaining's)

For more info see Gartentonne

Construction waste

- Ceramic tiles, plates and cups
- bricks and flower pots
- Design stones

For more info see Bauschutt

In order to dispose huge amount of any used metal, medicines, batteries, electronic wastes, chemical or radioactive material one should get in touch with the local GOA authorities. Also can find additional info here