Christmas Tree pick-up in Germany

Today was the big day for the pick-up. We were told to have the tree out there by the roadside as of 6 a.m. and once the truck passed through, there would be no further chance to dispose of it.

The pick-up is always scheduled in the week after Epiphany, when Germans traditionally take down any Christmas decorations. Epiphany signals the end of the Christmas season.

Christmas tree pick-up in Germany

I don’t know why this woman assisted, unless she brought her little tree by at the very last minute and offered to dump it herself. I am surprised this isn’t against the regulations.

Off the trees go to their next destination, where they will be turned into wood chips.

Recycling of High School Graduation Gowns

Over the years, having worked for various charities in form of book and clothing drives, I have occasionally seen the Frankfurt International School (FIS) graduation cap and gown end up in expat families’ donations.

Some students might keep these items for sentimental reasons, others are willing to get rid off it with the next used clothing collection. Three times I had these items in one of our clothing drives and did not know what to do with them.

What a waste, I thought. Good material, only worn once, and the gown could definitely be washed or dry-cleaned and given to the next year’s student.

At that time, I sent an e-mail to school, sharing the idea of thinking green by reusing the gown and saving money as well. The caps are non-reusable as the inside’s sweatband does get dirty.

I did get a response, something of the matter “… we will look into it…” and then I completely forgot about it.

Until yesterday. When I found our son’s cap and gown stowed away, it was my turn to ask him whether he planned on keeping it (which means, going to the basement for storage) or we take it to the used clothing collection bin.

Then he informed me that FIS now takes the gowns back to be cleaned and distributed again. One also has the option of keeping it.

Caps and Gowns on High School Graduation Day

Wonderful, my idea got implemented. And we are taking his gown back to school, too.

Recycling Medication in Germany

Talking to some expats, we came across the all-time favorite recycling program in Germany. Among cars and many other things, we also recycle our medication. Since this was taken in surprise, it might be worth sharing.

Old and expired medication is called Sondermüll (toxic waste) and needs to be handled accordingly.

Keeping the environment and future generations in mind, it is important to keep old and expired medication out of the regular trash. Please remove the package and papers to be disposed in the Altpapier (recycled paper pin), but drop off your unwanted medication at your local pharmacy.

From there, expired medication will be picked up or delivered to the toxic waste department. Not-yet expired medication will get recycled and donated to charities.

Injection needles can also be dropped off at the pharmacy.

What is so toxic about this kind of waste? This waste requires special attention – if not handled properly, it can cause damage to the environment and our health. In most households, the amount of medication ending up in the regular trash is benign, but collectively, the damage is big.

These toxic elements can enter the food chain, whereby harming our vegetation and animal life. So please separate and deposit waste in its proper place.

Some packets carry symbols, such as the one with a dead tree or a dead fish (unfortunately, most of us have lost awareness of these signs)

Whenever you see a black symbol on an orange background, be alerted to its toxic content.

Most other medical products come with der grüne Punkt symbol, another reminder to recycle.

So, just in time for spring cleaning – clear out your medical cabinet and drop off your recyclable items at your local pharmacy. Your German phrase for the drop-off: Ich möchte das zurückgeben.

Glass Recycling in Germany

Occasionally, I can hear the crashing and scrunching sound of dumped glass when the recycling truck stops in our neighborhood.

In general, we get to sort our glass in three different color containers – white, green, and brown. And as good Germans, many of us follow this rule. For years, we had been instructed to separate the caps and lids from the glass (caps and lids are meant for the yellow plastic trash container).

Now I have noticed this fairly new instruction:

New regulation for glass recycling

Bitte Flaschen und Gläser mit Verschluss einwerfen = Please deposit bottles and jars with tops.

In the beginning, it took us months to remember to take the caps off at home. At times,  one could observe people unscrewing bottles and jars in front of the container. Now we are supposed to throw the whole thing in. Does this make sense?

In my former home state of Bavaria, recycling is even more complex. Beer bottle caps are meant for the aluminum trash bin, jar jam lids go into the plastic trash.

On the other hand, some newcomers to Germany might not realize that e.g. yogurt jars and some soda cans are sold with a deposit. Please check the cans and jars for its deposit symbol (somewhere near the bar code). I know of people who have literally thrown their money into the bin, over the years. I have done it myself… It took me about four weeks to notice the deposit symbol on a soda can (American brand).

Any bottle/jar/plastic bottle with the Grüner Punkt symbol goes into the trash, again sorted by plastic and glass.

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