Austria (AT)

Austria is a landlocked Central European republic of nine federal states (Bundesländer), renowned for its stunning Alpine landscapes, imperial history, world-class classical music, and high standard of living.

Capital: Vienna

Region: Europe

Language: German

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)

Emergency: 112

Recycling & Waste in Austria

Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.

Austria has one of the highest recycling rates in the world — consistently in the top 3 globally. The system is comprehensive and Austrians take it seriously. Recycling rules vary slightly by Bundesland and municipality, but the core system is consistent nationwide. Failure to sort correctly generates surcharges on Betriebskosten (utility charges) and can lead to written warnings from Hausverwaltung (building management). In Vienna: the MA 48 (Wiener Stadtservice) operates the waste system. The Mistplatz network (16 depots across Vienna) accepts special waste, large items, and non-standard materials for free.

The Bin System

Yellow Bag / Yellow Bin (Gelber Sack / Gelbe Tonne)

Yellow

Gelber Sack / Gelbe Tonne

Accepts

✓Plastic packaging (bottles, containers, bags, film)
✓Metal packaging (tins, cans, aluminium foil, lids)
✓Composite packaging (Tetra Pak — juice and milk cartons)
✓Clean plastic trays and pots
✓Aluminium cans and foil
✓Metal lids and caps

Not accepted

✗PET bottles and aluminium cans with Einwegpfand deposit mark — return to Pfandautomat (reverse vending machine) for €0.25 refund
✗Glass (separate glass bins)
✗Paper and cardboard
✗Styrofoam / Polystyrene (special disposal)
✗Plastic bags not used as packaging
✗Organic waste
✗Dirty/contaminated packaging (rinse containers before disposal)

Blue Bin / Wastepaper Container (Altpapier)

Blue or grey with blue lid

Altpapier / Papier/Karton-Behälter

Accepts

✓Newspapers and magazines
✓Office paper and printing paper
✓Cardboard and cardboard boxes (flatten first)
✓Books without hard covers (paperbacks)
✓Envelopes (including with plastic windows)
✓Paper bags and paper wrapping

Not accepted

✗Waxed or coated paper (pizza boxes with heavy grease — Restmüll if very dirty)
✗Wet or soiled paper
✗Hardcover books (Restmüll or Mistplatz)
✗Tissue paper, paper handkerchiefs (Restmüll)
✗Wallpaper (Restmüll)
✗Carbon copy paper

Brown Bin / Biodegradable Waste (Biotonne)

Brown

Biotonne / Kompostbehälter

Accepts

✓Raw fruit and vegetable scraps
✓Coffee grounds and paper filters
✓Tea bags (without staples)
✓Eggshells
✓Small amounts of cooked food (without meat/fish — check local rules)
✓Garden waste (small amounts): grass clippings, leaves, flowers
✓Paper towels/napkins (unbleached)
✓Compostable bags

Not accepted

✗Meat and fish (in most Viennese systems — causes odour and pest issues)
✗Oils and fats (liquid)
✗Non-compostable packaging
✗Ash from fireplaces (special disposal)
✗Large amounts of garden waste (Mistplatz for garden waste)

Grey/Black Bin — Residual Waste (Restmüll)

Grey or black

Restmüll / Restmüllbehälter

Accepts

✓Non-recyclable waste not fitting other categories
✓Hygienic waste (nappies, sanitary products, tissues)
✓Dirty/contaminated packaging that cannot be cleaned
✓Cat litter and pet waste
✓Ceramic and porcelain (broken)
✓Ash (cooled fully)
✓Vacuum cleaner bags

Not accepted

✗Hazardous waste (chemicals, paints, batteries)
✗Electronic waste
✗Medical sharps / syringes
✗Car tyres
✗Construction rubble

Glass Recycling (Altglas)

Two separate containers: Weißglas (white/clear) and Buntglas (coloured)

Altglas-Behälter

Accepts

✓Glass bottles and jars — separate by colour: Weißglas (clear/white) and Buntglas (green, brown, other)
✓Wine and beer bottles (rinsed)
✓Jam and conserve jars
✓Empty cosmetic glass containers

Not accepted

✗Lightbulbs and fluorescent tubes (Mistplatz or electrical retailer)
✗Window glass (Mistplatz)
✗Ceramic and porcelain (Restmüll)
✗Mirrors (Mistplatz)
✗Crystal glass
✗Glass with metal fittings (remove if possible)

Einwegpfand (single-use deposit since January 2025) + Pfand (reusable glass bottles) — Bottle Deposit System

Austria has two deposit systems. (1) Einwegpfand — launched 1 January 2025: a €0.25 deposit applies to all single-use PET plastic bottles and aluminium cans between 100mL and 3L. Eligible containers display the Einwegpfand logo. Return to a Pfandautomat (reverse vending machine) in any supermarket. Exceptions: animal milk products and canned coffee beverages where milk exceeds 51% of content. (2) Mehrweg-Pfand — the older system for reusable glass bottles: beer, wine, and water bottles in returnable glass carry a Pfand of €0.08–€0.50 depending on bottle type; return at the supermarket checkout desk.

Deposit Amounts

Einwegpfand (PET bottles and aluminium cans, 100mL–3L): €0.25 per container. Mehrweg-Pfand (reusable glass/plastic bottles): €0.08–€0.50 per bottle depending on type (beer/wine bottles typically €0.15; large returnable bottles up to €0.50).

How to Return

Einwegpfand containers: return to the Pfandautomat (reverse vending machine) at any Billa, Spar, Hofer, Lidl, or major supermarket. The machine reads the deposit logo and prints a voucher redeemable at checkout. Containers must be empty, undamaged, and have the deposit logo legible. Mehrweg (reusable) bottles: return at the supermarket checkout desk or customer service — stores are obligated to accept them.

Special Disposal

Electronic Waste (Elektroschrott)

Mistplatz (all 16 Vienna locations), or free take-back at any electronics retailer (Saturn, MediaMarkt, Hartlauer) — legally required to accept old electronics when selling new ones. Also: einkehr.at mobile collection service in Vienna.

Mobile phones, laptops, fridges, TVs — all must go to e-waste disposal. Never in Restmüll — illegal and fined.

Batteries and Accumulators

Battery collection boxes at all supermarkets (yellow boxes at entrance). Mistplatz. Some pharmacies.

Never in Restmüll. Austria participates in the Batteriesammlung (national battery collection programme).

Hazardous Waste (Problemstoffe)

Mistplatz (free, no registration needed). Mobile collection events (Problemstoffsammelstellen) — Vienna schedule at ma48.at.

Includes: paint, varnish, cleaning chemicals, pesticides, motor oil, solvents, fluorescent tubes. NEVER in any household bin — serious fines.

Medication

Any Apotheke (pharmacy) — take back old/expired medication for free. Mistplatz.

Medication in Restmüll contaminates groundwater. Austrian pharmacies accept all old medication — no purchase required.

Clothing and Textiles

Altkleidersammlung (clothing donation) containers — red containers from Caritas or Volkshilfe throughout Vienna. Mistplatz also accepts textiles. Second-hand shops: Humana, Vienna charity shops.

Place in plastic bag to keep dry. Shoes: knot together in pairs. Not in Restmüll — high recycling value.

Large Bulky Items (Sperrmüll)

Vienna: free Sperrmüllabholung (bulky waste collection) twice/year per household — book via MA 48 app or 01 546 48. Also delivered free to Mistplatz.

Includes: furniture, mattresses, large appliances. Do not leave on the street without booking collection — illegal.

Garden Waste (Grünschnitt)

Mistplatz accepts garden waste free. Some municipalities have seasonal Grünschnitttage (green waste days).

Large quantities cannot go in the Biotonne. Chipping service available at some Mistplatz locations.

Tyres

Tyre dealers must accept old tyres for recycling (free or nominal fee). Mistplatz does not accept tyres.

Never dumped — serious environmental and legal issue.

Bulk Waste

Sperrmüll collection in Vienna: free twice per year per household. Book via the Wienbot (Wien App), MA 48 online, or by phone (01 546 48). Items are collected from the kerb on the booked day. Alternatively: free delivery to any of the 16 Vienna Mistplatz depots. Items in good condition: consider donating to Caritas Sozialmarkt or listing on willhaben.at.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

! Putting glass in the Gelber Sack instead of the Altglas containers
! Disposing of electronics or batteries in Restmüll — illegal
! Putting meat and fish in the Biotonne — usually prohibited in Vienna
! Failing to rinse plastic containers before yellow bag — contaminated packaging is rejected at sorting
! Using glass containers on Sundays — noise rules apply, typically no glass disposal Sunday or after 10pm/before 7am
! Leaving Sperrmüll on the pavement without booking a collection date
! Putting nappies and sanitary products in the Biotonne — these are Restmüll
! Medicines in any household bin — use Apotheke take-back instead

Fines & Enforcement

Vienna: Ordnungswidrigkeit (administrative offence) fines for incorrect recycling: €36–2,180 depending on severity. Building management can also add surcharges to your Betriebskosten for bins that are rejected at collection. Illegal dumping: criminal offence, fines up to €36,000.

Practical Tips

→ Download the "Abfall-App" or "MA 48 App" to check collection schedules and find the nearest Mistplatz.
→ Print the Vienna waste sorting guide (Mülltrennung Wien) from ma48.at — available in multiple languages.
→ Use the Wienbot (Wien App) to report illegal dumping and ask about waste rules.
→ Remember: when in doubt, use Restmüll — wrong bin recycling contaminates whole loads and is worse than Restmüll.
→ Altglas (glass containers) are located throughout the city — find the nearest at ma48.at/glassammlung.