Glass / Glas
See the most important Danish waste categories and how correct sorting helps materials move on to recycling.
Click a waste category to read more about it.
In short
Glass mainly means empty bottles and packaging glass without a deposit. The glass should be emptied and scraped clean, but it does not need to be thoroughly washed.
Common mistakes
- Porcelain, ceramics and stoneware must not be sorted as glass.
- Mirrors, window glass and ovenproof glass have a different composition than packaging glass.
- Light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and other light sources must be sorted separately.
- Chemical bottles and medicine glass may require hazardous waste, pharmacy return or recycling centre delivery.
Packaging glass or special glass?
Empty bottles and jars can be recycled
Non-deposit glass bottles, jam jars, food jars, vitamin jars and shards from packaging glass can usually be sorted as glass.
Other glass types must be kept out
Mirrors, window glass, ceramics, porcelain, ovenproof glass and light sources can ruin recycling because they melt differently or require special handling.
Check local rules
Danish municipalities may have different rules for drinking glasses, glass shards, lids on jars, medicine glass, mirrors and whether glass is collected at home or in public containers. Find your municipality.
Glass waste
Glass waste includes empty glass bottles, jars and similar glass packaging. Glass can be recycled again and again without losing quality, which makes correct sorting valuable.
What belongs with glass?
Glass should be emptied and scraped clean, but it does not need to be thoroughly washed. Porcelain, ceramics, mirrors, light bulbs and chemical bottles should not be sorted as ordinary glass, because they can disturb recycling or require special handling.
FAQ about glass
Does glass need to be washed before sorting?+
No, glass usually does not need to be washed thoroughly. It should simply be emptied and scraped clean so there are no large amounts of food or liquid left.
Can lids stay on jars?+
It depends on the municipality. In many places lids can stay on or be sorted as metal/plastic, but local rules can vary.
Can drinking glasses go in glass recycling?+
Rules vary. Some municipalities accept drinking glasses, while others want them delivered at a recycling centre or placed in residual waste.
Can porcelain and ceramics go in glass?+
No. Porcelain, ceramics and stoneware must not go in glass because they have a different composition and can ruin recycling.
Where should light bulbs and fluorescent tubes go?+
Light bulbs, LED bulbs and fluorescent tubes should normally be delivered as light sources at a recycling centre or through the municipality’s special scheme.
Waste items sorted as glass / Glas
Ampoule
Beetroot jar
Broken glass
Canning jar
Chocolate spread
Clip-top jar
Cocoa milk carton
Crushed glass
Dropper bottle
Empty pill bottle
Glass bottle
Glass bowl
Glass packaging
Glass tabletop
Herring jar
Honey tub
Instant coffee jar
Jam jar
Marmalade jar
Medicine bottle
Nutella jar
Olive oil bottle
Pesto jar
Pill bottle
Preserving jar
Red wine
Skin tonic
Spice jar
Spirits bottle
Tealight glass holder
Vitamin bottle
Wine
Wine bottle
Wine glass