Restmüllabfuhr

Restmüllabfuhr refers to the collection of residual waste from households and small businesses—materials that cannot be sorted into recycling or composting streams. It is a core element of municipal waste management in many German-speaking countries, where authorities define what counts as residual waste and how it is collected.

Containers and collection: Residual waste is usually placed in designated containers or bags, with sizes ranging from small 20–60 liter bins for apartments to 120–240 liter bins for single-family homes, and larger 1,000 liter or bigger containers used by commercial premises. Collection frequency is typically weekly but can vary by locality, season, or waste volume.

Processing and disposal: Collected residual waste is predominantly treated in waste-to-energy facilities, where the waste is incinerated to recover heat and electricity. The inorganic residues resulting from incineration are managed under environmental regulations. Depending on regional rules and the waste composition, some non-combustible fractions may be disposed of in landfills or subjected to additional processing.

Relation to other waste streams: Restmüll is managed alongside other fractions such as organic waste (Biomüll) and recyclable packaging materials. The overall goal is to minimize residual waste through effective source separation and higher recycling rates, sometimes within separate systems of bins or collection streams (which may be referred to differently in various regions).

Variations: Terminology and practices differ by country and region. While “Restmüll” is common in many areas, some regions use terms like “Restabfall.” Local ordinances and collection schedules shape the exact definitions, container standards, and disposal methods.