Plastic and aluminium
Confidence: high · Place: Germany · Last checked: September 2026
Caution: Leftover medicines can be hazardous to the environment, so please don’t put them in your general waste bin.
Sonderabfall (special waste)Why
- Blister packs contain mixed materials that can’t be recycled in the Gelber Sack (yellow bag).
- They may contain traces of medicine, which are considered special waste.
- They must be taken to a special waste collection point (e.g. a pharmacy or Wertstoffhof (recycling centre)).
Some local authorities accept blister packs in the Gelbe Tonne (yellow bin), while others require them to be treated as special waste.
varies by municipalityBefore you throw it away
- Remove any remaining pills (take them to a pharmacy if necessary).
- Rinse the blister pack briefly if needed.
- Put the empty blister pack in the special waste collection or take it to a recycling centre.