electrical item
Confidence: high · Place: Germany · Last checked: September 2026
Electrical items contain hazardous substances like lead and mercury and must not go in your general waste bin.
electrical waste (Elektroschrott)Why
- Coffee machines are electrical items and belong in the special waste collection for electrical and electronic items.
- They contain harmful substances and must not go in your general waste or yellow bin (Gelbe Tonne).
- You must take them to a collection point for old electrical items, e.g. a recycling centre (Wertstoffhof) or specialist retailer.
Some local authorities accept small electrical items in the yellow bag (gelber Sack), others only at the recycling centre.
varies by local authority (Gemeinde)Before you throw it away
- Unplug the machine.
- Remove loose parts like filters, drip trays and cables.
- Pack the coffee machine in a sturdy bag or box for transport to the collection point.