May 18, 2026, 12:39 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Glass belongs in the glass container–the name says it all. But can the lid stay on the empty jam jar, or should it be unscrewed? This is a question many might ask when standing in front of the glass container. After all, the lid is not made of glass but metal.
When you take used glass to the container, it gets recycled and eventually turned into new glass for bottles or screw-top jars. The best part is that glass can theoretically be recycled endlessly. However, it’s important to dispose of the glass correctly so it can be properly processed. But what does “correctly dispose” actually mean? On many glass containers, you’ll find numerous lids–such as from jam jars. Many people unscrew these before tossing the glass into the container. But is that really necessary?
Do you need to dispose of lids separately from used glass?
Consumers don’t necessarily have to unscrew the lids from used glass before disposal, as the waste management services of the state capital Wiesbaden (EWL) inform. Sorting facilities can recognize and remove the closures, whether they are made of tinplate, aluminum, or plastic. These materials can then be further processed if necessary. However, sorting requires additional energy, as “Der Grüne Punkt” informs. This energy can be saved if the lids are disposed of separately, in the recycling bin or the yellow bag.
When disposing of used glass and lids in the glass container, an unscrewed lid also makes it easier for machines to sort using magnets. A screwed-on lid can still have glass residues, which complicates sorting and recycling.
Related: Be sure to rinse empty honey jars before disposal
Note: Do not simply leave unscrewed lids on or next to the container. They will remain there and must be removed by city cleaning services.
Caution! Not all glass is used glass
A common mistake when disposing of used 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 count as used 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 used glass. The more carefully you separate, the higher the quality of the newly produced raw material.