Greece (GR)
Greece is a southeastern European republic and EU member state, birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the Olympic Games, celebrated for its 6,000 sun-drenched islands, ancient ruins from the Acropolis to Delphi, vibrant Mediterranean cuisine, and a warm culture that draws expats, retirees, digital nomads, and Golden Visa investors from across the world.
Recycling & Waste in Greece
Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.
Greece's recycling rates have improved significantly since the 2010s but remain below the EU average. Athens and major cities have a functioning kerbside recycling system. Some municipalities also provide organic waste collection. Greece's national deposit return system operator DRS Hellas SA is under phased activation — covering PET plastic bottles and metal cans up to 3L with a two-tier deposit (€0.10 for containers up to 500mL, €0.15 for 500mL–3L). Residents should check their specific municipality's system as collection days and available bins vary.
The Bin System
Recycling Bin (Blue Bin)
BlueΜπλε Κάδος / Κάδος Ανακύκλωσης
- ✓Paper and cardboard (newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes, office paper)
- ✓Metal packaging (aluminium cans, steel food cans, metal lids)
- ✓Plastic packaging (PET bottles, HDPE containers, plastic bags and films)
- ✓Glass packaging (bottles and jars — clean and empty)
- ✓Tetra Pak cartons (milk, juice boxes)
- ✓Aluminium foil (clean)
- ✗Food-contaminated packaging (rinse containers first)
- ✗Styrofoam (EPS)
- ✗Ceramics or pottery
- ✗Window glass, mirrors, or pyrex
- ✗Batteries or electronics
- ✗Dirty pizza boxes (put in general waste if heavily soiled)
- ✗Nappies or hygiene products
General Waste Bin (Green/Dark Bin)
Green or dark (varies by municipality)Πράσινος/Μαύρος Κάδος — Σκουπίδια
- ✓Food waste (if no organic bin available)
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Hygiene products (nappies, sanitary products)
- ✓Broken ceramics and tableware
- ✓Soiled paper and cardboard
- ✓Styrofoam
Organic Waste Bin (Brown Bin)
BrownΚαφέ Κάδος — Οργανικά
- ✓Raw and cooked food waste
- ✓Fruit and vegetable peels
- ✓Coffee grounds and tea bags
- ✓Eggshells
- ✓Small quantities of food-soiled paper napkins
- ✗Meat and fish bones (some municipalities allow; check locally)
- ✗Plastic bags — use compostable liners or no liner
- ✗Glass or metal
Glass Recycling Bin
Green (dedicated glass bin — often a street-side bank)Πράσινος Κάδος Γυαλιού / Ειδικός Κάδος Γυαλιού
- ✓Glass bottles (wine, beer, water, spirits)
- ✓Glass jars (jam, sauce, olive jars)
- ✗Window glass (take to a special recycling centre)
- ✗Mirrors
- ✗Light bulbs (special collection)
- ✗Pyrex/oven-safe glass
- ✗Ceramics
DRS Hellas SA (Ελληνικό Σύστημα Εγγυοδοτικής Ανακύκλωσης) — phased activation — Bottle Deposit System
Greece's national deposit return system is operated by DRS Hellas SA (drshellas.gr), established by major beverage producers and retailers. The system is under phased activation as of 2026 — covering single-use PET plastic bottles and metal (aluminium) cans up to 3L. A two-tier deposit applies: €0.10 for containers up to 500mL, €0.15 for containers between 500mL and 3L. Look for the DRS Hellas logo on eligible packaging. The scheme aims to help Greece meet the EU target of collecting 90% of single-use beverage containers by 2029.
€0.10 per container up to 500mL. €0.15 per container between 500mL and 3L. Applies to PET plastic bottles and metal cans with the DRS Hellas deposit logo.
Return eligible containers to reverse vending machines (RVMs) at participating supermarkets (AB Vassilopoulos, Sklavenitis, Lidl) and registered collection points. The label and barcode must be intact. Receive a receipt redeemable for cash, donation, or store credit at checkout. As the system is under phased rollout, check drshellas.gr for the latest list of collection points.
Special Disposal
Dedicated battery collection boxes at supermarkets, electronics stores (Plaisio, Kotsovolos, Public), petrol stations, and municipal offices. Do not put in any recycling or general bin.
Large electronics stores (Kotsovolos, Plaisio, Public, Media Markt) accept old electronics for free recycling. Municipalities organise periodic e-waste collection events. ECOAECHEE.gr — national WEEE management system website for collection points.
Take to a petrol station or authorised used-oil collection point. ELTON (ελτον.gr) manages used oil collection across Greece. Do not pour into drains.
Return unused medicines to any pharmacy. Pharmacies are legally obliged to accept expired medicines. Do not put in recycling or general bin — pharmaceutical compounds contaminate water systems.
Municipal hazardous waste collection events (Κινητά Πράσινα Σημεία — Mobile Green Points). Contact your municipality for dates and locations. Never pour paint or chemicals down drains.
Return to a tyre dealer or garage — they are legally required to accept old tyres for recycling. ECOELASTIKA (ecoelastika.gr) manages tyre recycling.
Hardware stores and supermarkets with lamp collection boxes. Fluorescent tubes contain mercury — never put in general bin.
Contact your municipality for bulky item collection. Electronics retailers must take back old appliances when delivering a new one (EU WEEE directive). APPLIANCES GREECE manages white goods recycling.
Clothing banks (donation bins) of charities: Caritas, Red Cross (Ερυθρός Σταυρός), Praksis, local churches. Some municipalities have clothing recycling bins.
In good condition: donate to charity. Worn or unwearable: textile recycling bins at certain municipalities and H&M/Zara stores.
Bulk Waste
Bulky items (furniture, large appliances, mattresses) must be arranged for special collection by your municipality (Δήμος). Contact the municipal services department (Καθαριότητα) to arrange a collection appointment. Leaving bulky items on the street without arrangement is a violation and attracts a fine. Some municipalities have a dedicated online booking system; others require a phone call.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ! Putting glass bottles in the blue recycling bin instead of the dedicated glass bank — glass should go in the glass recycling container
- ! Not rinsing packaging before recycling — contaminated packaging gets rejected and sent to landfill
- ! Putting batteries or electronics in the blue recycling bin — they require special disposal
- ! Leaving bulky waste on the street without arranging a municipal collection
- ! Using the deposit-system bottles in the blue bin instead of the reverse vending machine — you lose your deposit
- ! Putting medicines or pharmaceuticals in any bin — return to the pharmacy
- ! Using black plastic bin bags in the blue recycling bin — some municipalities do not accept bagged recycling
Fines & Enforcement
Illegal dumping (αυθαίρετη απόρριψη αποβλήτων) in Greece is subject to fines of €500–5,000 for individuals. Placing incorrect items in recycling bins can result in fines at the neighbourhood level in some municipalities. Hazardous waste violations (pouring oil, chemicals) are criminal offences. Municipal enforcement has been increasing, especially in tourist areas.
Practical Tips
- → Find your municipality's (Δήμος) recycling schedule and bin colour system on the municipal website — rules vary between municipalities.
- → The Κινητό Πράσινο Σημείο (Mobile Green Point) event comes to each neighbourhood periodically — check your municipality calendar to dispose of hazardous waste, medicines, and electronics.
- → Invest in a set of recycling bags for home separation — makes weekly bin contribution much easier.
- → The Greek word for recycling is ανακύκλωση (anakyklosi) — the bins are labelled accordingly.