In this guide
Waste collection in the Netherlands is organised by municipalities, so what you sort, in which bin and on which day depends on where you live. This guide explains the common categories and the one national deposit system, and tells you where to check the rules for your address. If you are just arriving, our complete guide to moving to the Netherlands covers the bigger picture.
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The Dutch Waste Categories
Common household waste streams are:
| Category | Dutch name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic, metal, drink cartons | PMD | Collected in some municipalities, in others sorted after collection |
| Paper and cardboard | Papier/karton | Door-to-door or street containers |
| Glass | Glas | Usually street containers (glasbak) |
| Vegetable, fruit and garden waste | GFT | Not every home or apartment building has a separate container |
| Residual waste | Restafval | What is left after sorting |
| Small hazardous waste | KCA / chemisch afval | Milieustraat, chemokar or collection points |
| Bulky waste | Grof vuil | Collection by appointment or milieustraat |
Not every municipality provides every stream at the door, and the colours of bags and containers differ. Check your municipality’s website or afvalkalender for the rules at your address.
Sorting Tips
- PMD: check your municipality’s list of what is accepted. In general, empty and lightly rinsed packaging is easier to recycle.
- Paper: keep it dry and clean. Greasy or wet cardboard usually does not belong in the paper stream.
- Glass: use the glasbak, and check the colour sections and any opening hours or noise rules in your municipality.
- GFT: check what your municipality accepts, for example for meat, fish, dairy and tea bags.
- Hazardous waste: batteries, paint, chemicals and similar items should not go in the normal bin. Use the milieustraat, chemokar or collection points. Medicines can go back to a pharmacy.
- Bulky waste: use the municipal collection by appointment, the milieustraat or a kringloop that collects.
Statiegeld: The Deposit Return System
Statiegeld Nederland states the following deposits (statiegeldnederland.nl, checked 6 October 2026):
| Container type | Statiegeld per item |
|---|---|
| Large plastic water and soft-drink bottles | €0.25 |
| Small plastic water and soft-drink bottles | €0.15 |
| Drink cans | €0.15 |
Plastic juice bottles can also carry a deposit, but this is not mandatory.
How to Return and Claim
- Bring your empty bottles and cans to a return machine (inleverautomaat). You can return them at any supermarket.
- Feed them in one by one. The machine prints a receipt with your deposit.
- Supermarkets larger than 200 m2 and staffed motorway fuel stations pay out the deposit. Other locations may pay it out or donate it to a good cause.
Statiegeld Nederland also lists other return points, such as large train stations, schools and garden centres, and more than 25,000 donation points (for example at sports clubs) where you can donate your deposit to charity. Look for the statiegeld logo on the packaging.
The Milieustraat
A milieustraat is the municipal recycling centre. It typically accepts bulky waste, electronics, hazardous waste and sorted materials. Access rules differ by municipality: some use a pass or app, and some charge for certain materials. Check your municipality’s website for the rules and opening hours. Mobile chemokar collections, if offered, are announced on the same site.
The Afvalkalender: Your Collection Calendar
The afvalkalender tells you which waste is collected when at your address. Search “[your municipality] afvalkalender” on the municipality’s website or app and enter your postcode and house number. Many waste collectors and municipalities have an app with reminders and a search function for items. Check which one applies to your municipality.
Kringloopwinkel: Second-Hand Before Recycling
Kringloopwinkels are second-hand shops that sell donated goods. They can be useful when you arrive, for affordable furniture and household items, and when you leave, to donate things you no longer need. Our shopping guide for expats covers where to find what you need. Check each shop for what it accepts, and whether it offers collection of larger items.
Reuse and Repair
- Repair Café: The Repair Café concept started in Amsterdam in 2009. These are community events where volunteers help repair items. Search repaircafe.org for a location near you.
- Second-hand platforms: Marktplaats, Vinted and Facebook Marketplace are used for second-hand items. See our guide to second-hand shopping.
Quick Reference
Because rules differ per municipality, use the table as a starting point and confirm with your afvalkalender.
| Item | Usual stream |
|---|---|
| Yoghurt pot | PMD, where collected |
| Milk carton | PMD, where collected |
| Clean pizza box | Paper |
| Wine bottle | Glasbak |
| Battery | Collection point or milieustraat |
| Old phone | Milieustraat or electronics collection point |
| Medicine | Pharmacy |
| Garden waste | GFT or milieustraat |
Useful Resources
For more daily life guides, see our articles on Dutch utilities explained and energy providers for expats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PMD stand for and what can go in it?
PMD stands for Plastic, Metal and Drinkpakketten (drink cartons). Whether and how PMD is collected, and exactly which items are accepted, depends on your municipality or waste collector, so check their website or afvalkalender before you sort.
How does the statiegeld deposit system work in the Netherlands?
Statiegeld Nederland states that large plastic water and soft-drink bottles carry a €0.25 deposit, small plastic water and soft-drink bottles €0.15, and drink cans €0.15. You return them to a return machine and get a receipt with your deposit. Supermarkets larger than 200 m2 and staffed motorway fuel stations pay out the deposit. Other locations may pay it out or donate it to a good cause (statiegeldnederland.nl).
What is a kringloopwinkel and where do I find one?
A kringloopwinkel is a second-hand shop where donated household goods, furniture, clothing and books are sold. Many accept donations and some offer collection of larger items. Check the shop's own website for what they accept and whether they collect.
What is a milieustraat and how do I get access?
Many municipalities have a milieustraat (recycling centre) for bulky, hazardous and sorted waste. Access rules differ: some municipalities use a pass, an app or a registration. Check your municipality's website for how to get access and what it costs.
What is the afvalkalender and how do I find mine?
The afvalkalender shows which waste is collected on which day at your address. Most municipalities and waste collectors publish it on their website or in an app. Search for your municipality plus afvalkalender and enter your postcode and house number.
Can I recycle clothes and textiles in the Netherlands?
Many municipalities have textile containers, and kringloop shops accept clean clothing. Check your municipality or waste collector for the locations and for what may go in.