Israel (IL)
Start-Up Nation with world-class tech ecosystem, rich ancient history, stunning Mediterranean beaches, and a vibrant expat and immigrant community.
Recycling & Waste in Israel
Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.
Israel's recycling system is managed at municipal level and varies significantly between cities. Tel Aviv, Ra'anana, and Herzliya have relatively well-developed multi-stream recycling. Smaller towns and the periphery have more limited separation. Israel has a national beverage container deposit scheme (Pikadon/פיקדון) covering plastic bottles, aluminium cans, and glass bottles from 100mL up to 5L — 30 agorot per container — which has significantly improved beverage container recycling rates. Glass bottle collection bins are widespread. Overall recycling rates are improving but remain below EU averages.
The Bin System
General Waste Bin
Grey or brownפח אשפה (Pach Ashpah)
- ✓Food waste (where no separate organic bin)
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Used tissues and paper towels
- ✓Broken ceramics and crockery
- ✓Diapers and sanitary items
- ✓Mixed materials that cannot be separated
- ✗Recyclable plastic, paper, metal, glass (where separate bins exist)
- ✗Batteries — separate collection
- ✗Electronics — separate collection
- ✗Hazardous materials
Recyclables Bin (Blue)
Blueפח שימור / פח מחזור (Pach Shimur)
- ✓Clean plastic packaging (bottles, containers — rinse before placing)
- ✓Metal cans and aluminium (tins, foil)
- ✓Cardboard and paper (dry, clean)
- ✓Tetrapak cartons (milk, juice — rinse)
- ✓Newspapers and magazines
- ✗Dirty or food-contaminated packaging
- ✗Plastic bags
- ✗Glass (separate glass bin)
- ✗Styrofoam/polystyrene
- ✗Plastic wrap/film
Glass Return Bin
Green or brownפח זכוכית (Pach Zkhukhit)
- ✓Glass bottles (all colours: clear, green, brown)
- ✓Glass jars
- ✓Broken glass (carefully)
- ✗Porcelain and ceramics
- ✗Crystal glass
- ✗Window glass or mirrors
- ✗Light bulbs
- ✗Plastic bottles (use deposit scheme instead)
Organic/Compost Bin (where available)
Green or brown (dark)פח גרין (Pach Organic)
- ✓Fruit and vegetable peelings
- ✓Food leftovers
- ✓Coffee grounds and teabags (unbleached)
- ✓Garden waste (leaves, grass clippings)
- ✗Meat and fish (in most systems)
- ✗Dairy products
- ✗Cooking oil
- ✗Plastic bags (even "biodegradable" ones)
Pikadon Deposit Scheme (פיקדון) — Bottle Deposit System
Israel's Pikadon (פיקדון) deposit scheme covers beverage containers — plastic (PET) bottles, aluminium cans, and glass bottles — from 100mL up to 5L (excluding dairy, paper, and plastic pouches). The scheme was extended to large containers (1.5L–5L) on 1 December 2021. A 30-agorot (₪0.30) deposit is charged at purchase, returned when the container is brought to an Assambot machine or bottle bank. Reusable glass beer bottles from major Israeli brands (Goldstar, Maccabee) and some imports (Carlsberg, Tuborg) carry a higher deposit of ₪1.20 — return to the original outlet or any store selling that brand.
30 agorot (₪0.30) per eligible container (plastic PET bottles, aluminium cans, and glass bottles, 100mL–5L). Reusable glass beer bottles (Goldstar, Maccabee, and selected imported brands): ₪1.20 deposit.
Return bottles to Assambot (automated collection machines) at supermarkets (Shufersal, Rami Levy, etc.) or designated bottle banks. Machine issues a voucher or credits your Rav-Kav card. Credit can be redeemed at the supermarket checkout.
Special Disposal
Special battery collection boxes in supermarkets (Shufersal often has them at entrance), electronics stores, and municipal collection points
Never dispose of batteries in regular waste — contains heavy metals. Rechargeable batteries: electronic retailers often accept old batteries.
Municipal e-waste collection events (advertised by municipalities); manufacturer take-back programmes (required by Extended Producer Responsibility law); Hi-Collection centres (Hi-Tech recycling chain)
Many municipalities organise quarterly e-waste collection events. Old phones: Orange, Cellcom, and Partner stores accept old handsets. Computers: check with municipality.
Special yellow collection bins in some municipalities; cooking oil recycling companies (Oils4Bio) provide collection
Never pour cooking oil down the drain — causes blocked pipes and environmental damage. Store in a sealed container and bring to collection point.
Return to any pharmacy (Bet Mirkachat) — HMO or chain pharmacy. Do NOT flush or put in regular waste.
All pharmacies accept returned unused or expired medications at no charge.
Levatin Foundation collection bins (yellow bins in many parking areas), Yad Sarah, second-hand shops (Yad Shniya), and municipal collection points
Good condition items: donate to Levatin, Yad Ezra, or charity shops. Worn-out textiles: textile collection banks exist in some municipalities.
Tyre shops (Chanuyot Galgalin) and licensed recycling companies. Some municipalities organise tyre collection events.
Illegal to dispose of tyres in regular waste. Tyre shops are legally obliged to accept used tyres.
Municipal bulk waste collection — call your municipality to schedule collection. Some municipalities have a specific day per neighbourhood.
Good condition furniture can be offered free on Facebook Marketplace or Yad2. Do not leave furniture on street without scheduling with municipality first.
Bulk Waste
Contact your local municipality to arrange bulk waste collection (Peina M'Gdola). Most municipalities offer free collection for registered residents — call the municipal service line or arrange via the city's website.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ! Putting dirty, food-contaminated packaging in recycling — contaminates the entire load and makes recycling impossible
- ! Discarding plastic bottles without claiming the 30-agorot deposit — free money left behind
- ! Throwing batteries and old electronics in general waste — illegal and environmentally harmful
- ! Putting glass in the blue recyclables bin — glass goes in the separate glass bin (Pach Zkhukhit)
- ! Disposing of old medicines in regular waste or flushing them — all pharmacies accept returns
- ! Leaving bulk items on the street without scheduling municipal collection
Fines & Enforcement
Illegal dumping (Hashlacha Bilti Chukit) carries fines of NIS 1,000–730,000 depending on the quantity and type of waste. Municipal inspectors (Pakahim Ironiim) patrol for illegal dumping in urban areas. Businesses face much higher fines for commercial waste violations.
Practical Tips
- → Look for the Assambot (bottle return machine) at your nearest Shufersal — returning bottles is easy and puts money back in your pocket.
- → In Tel Aviv, bins are collected frequently — if you miss your recycling collection day, keep recyclables separate until the next collection.
- → Many municipalities send WhatsApp reminders about bulk waste and e-waste collection days — join your neighbourhood WhatsApp group.
- → The Pikadon app (available on iOS/Android) helps locate your nearest bottle return machine.
- → For questions about what goes where, contact your municipality's environmental department (Machlek HaSvivah).