How to dispose of crockery correctly

Correct crockery disposal is important for several reasons. In particular, heat-resistant and durable porcelain needs to be disposed of correctly. Never throw broken porcelain into a bottle bank as this could make the collected glass unusable for recycling. In a worst-case scenario, it could even bring the recycling plant to a standstill and requiring repair as porcelain has a different melting point to glass. It is also worth noting that glasses used for drinking have a different melting point to glass bottles and should not be disposed of in a glass waste container. Proper sorting therefore contributes to correct recycling of reusable materials and can help to reduce greenhouse gases. For certain materials such as glass, you are even required by law, according to Section 13 of the German Packaging Act.

There is another good reason to dispose of broken porcelain correctly: to reduce the risk of injury to people and animals. Never simply throw broken pieces of porcelain into the bin; instead, wrap them either in old newspaper or scraps of cloth to make sure no-one can cut themselves on the jagged edges.

Smaller quantities of old crockery can be thrown away in the residual waste. All materials that cannot be incinerated during disposal remain as construction waste. One exception is metal tableware, small quantities of which should also be disposed of in the scrap metal container. Another exception is non-biodegradable disposable crockery which should be disposed of in the yellow bag.

Do you have a lot of old plates and pots to get rid of? Always take large quantities of old cups, pots and plates to a recycling centre rather than throwing them away with residual or bulky waste. As well as porcelain crockery, sets and individual items made from glass, ceramic, plastic, wood or earthenware should also be disposed of at a recycling centre.