September 17, 2026, 10:53 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Empty jam jars and many glass bottles end up in the recycling glass after use. However, there is often uncertainty about the metal screw caps: Should they be removed before disposal, or can they stay on the glass?
Do you need to dispose of the caps separately when recycling glass?
Consumers do not necessarily have to unscrew the caps before disposing of glass, as reported by the waste management services of the state capital Wiesbaden (EWL). The sorting facilities can recognize and remove the closures, whether they are made of tinplate, aluminum, or plastic. These materials are usually further processed. However, sorting requires additional energy, as “Der Grüne Punkt” informs. This energy can be saved if the caps are disposed of separately, in the recycling bin or the yellow bag.
When disposing of glass and caps in the recycling container, an unscrewed cap also facilitates machine sorting by magnet. A screwed-on cap may still have glass residue, which complicates sorting and recycling.
Related: Be sure to rinse empty honey jars before disposal
Note: Do not simply leave the caps unscrewed on or next to the container. They will remain there and must be removed by city cleaning services.
Caution! Not all glass is recyclable glass
A common mistake when disposing of recyclable glass is to include items like broken wine glasses. However, drinking glasses do not belong there! Additionally, do not dispose of light bulbs or materials like stoneware or porcelain in it. These can contaminate the new glass if not sorted out beforehand.
Furthermore, containers made of heat-resistant glass–such as coffee machine pots–do not belong in the recycling glass. Window panes or mirror glass also do not belong in the containers. These can be disposed of at the recycling center. In general, only container glass belongs in the recycling glass. The more carefully you separate, the higher the quality of the newly produced raw material.