July 10, 2026, 2:38 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Empty jam jars naturally belong in the glass recycling container. But what about the metal lid–should it be unscrewed first, or can it simply stay on the jar? Many people wonder about this when disposing of glass, since the lid isn’t made of glass.
Glass is melted down and turned into new bottles or screw-top jars. Since glass can be recycled almost indefinitely, proper disposal is especially important. However, there’s often uncertainty about one detail: Many glass recycling containers are piled high with unscrewed lids because many people remove them before tossing the glass in. But is that really necessary, or can the lid just stay on the jar?
Do You Need to Dispose of Lids Separately When Recycling Glass?
Consumers don’t necessarily have to unscrew the lids before disposing of glass, as the waste management services of the state capital Wiesbaden (EWL) inform. Sorting facilities can identify and remove the lids, whether they’re made of tinplate, aluminum, or plastic. These materials can then be further processed. However, sorting requires additional energy, as “Der Grüne Punkt” informs. This energy can be saved if lids are disposed of separately, in the recycling bin or the yellow bag.
When disposing of glass and lids in the glass recycling container, an unscrewed lid also makes machine sorting easier with a magnet. A screwed-on lid can still have glass residue, which complicates sorting and recycling.
Related: Be sure to rinse empty honey jars before disposal
Note: Lids should not be simply unscrewed and left on or next to the container. They will remain there and must be removed by city cleaning services.
Warning! Not All Glass Is Recyclable Glass
A common mistake when disposing of glass is to include items like broken wine glasses. However, drinking glasses don’t belong in there! Additionally, light bulbs or materials like stoneware or porcelain should not be disposed of in these containers. They can contaminate new glass if not sorted out beforehand.
Furthermore, containers made of heat-resistant glass–such as coffee machine carafes–are not recyclable glass. Window panes or mirror glass also don’t belong in the containers. These can be disposed of at the recycling center instead. In general, only container glass belongs in the recycling bin. The more carefully you sort, the higher the quality of the newly produced raw material.