Local guidance

Beijing, China

Beijing classifies household waste into kitchen waste, recyclables, hazardous waste and other waste, with an official four-colour bin system.

Collection and sorting guidance

Household collection

Put ordinary household waste into the category required by the municipal four-stream system.

Recycling and reuse

Keep recyclables clean and dry; flatten paper and empty, clean and compress three-dimensional packaging where practical.

Food and garden waste

Drain kitchen waste and keep glass, ceramic, metal, plastic and rubber out of the kitchen-waste bin.

Special waste

Place hazardous items such as specified batteries, lamps, thermometers, medicines, paint and pesticides into the hazardous-waste route, packaged safely.

Bin and bag colours

Use the labels and instructions supplied by the local service. The colours below apply only within the scope stated for each stream.

Green — Kitchen waste

Separated perishable food and kitchen waste after draining

Beijing municipal household-waste classification

Blue — Recyclables

Waste paper, plastic, glass, metal, electronic waste and fabrics accepted by the system

Beijing municipal household-waste classification

Red — Hazardous waste

Specified hazardous batteries, fluorescent lamps, thermometers, medicines, paint, solvents and pesticides

Beijing municipal household-waste classification

Gray — Other waste

Household waste that is neither kitchen, recyclable nor hazardous waste

Beijing municipal household-waste classification

Before you dispose of an item

  • Check the official source for the exact address and collection day.
  • Confirm accepted materials, opening hours and access conditions before travelling.
  • Keep batteries, electronics, chemicals and medicines out of ordinary household waste.

Official sources