Plastic / Plast
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
Plastic should usually be empty and scraped clean. Plastic trays, tubs, lids, bags and film can be recycled when they do not contain large amounts of food, liquid, metal film or hazardous residue.
Common mistakes
- Plastic packaging with chemicals, paint or hazardous contents does not belong in plastic.
- Crisp bags, sweet bags and bags with metal film often belong in residual waste.
- PVC, rubber boots, rainwear, garden hoses and air mattresses usually do not belong in the plastic bin.
- Electronics, batteries and plastic toys with electronics must be sorted separately.
Empty or contaminated?
Empty plastic packaging can be recycled
Plastic packaging does not need to be perfectly washed, but it should be emptied and scraped free from large amounts of food, liquid or product residue.
Contaminated plastic must be kept out
Plastic with chemicals, oil, paint, medicine residue or metal foil can disrupt recycling and must follow local municipal rules.
Check local rules
Danish municipalities may have different rules for hard plastic, soft plastic, plastic film, black plastic, PVC, plastic toys and whether plastic is collected with metal or food and beverage cartons. Find your municipality.
Plastic waste
Plastic packaging is a large part of household waste and has significant recycling potential. Danish plastic sorting mainly focuses on packaging and plastic items that can be processed into new plastic materials.
How to prepare plastic
Plastic packaging should be emptied and scraped clean. It does not need to be perfectly washed, but large amounts of food, liquid or product residue should be removed. Some plastic-like items, such as rubber boots, rainwear, PVC pipes or packaging with metal film, do not belong in ordinary plastic sorting.
FAQ about plastic
Does plastic need to be washed before sorting?+
No, plastic usually does not need to be completely washed. It should, however, be emptied and scraped free from larger amounts of food, liquid and product residue.
Can crisp bags and sweet bags go in plastic?+
Often no, especially if the bag has metal film on the inside. This type of packaging usually belongs in residual waste, but local rules can vary.
Can plastic toys go in plastic?+
Plastic toys without electronics may in some municipalities be sorted as plastic or delivered at a recycling centre. Toys with batteries or electronics must be sorted as electronics.
Can medicine packaging go in plastic?+
Plastic packaging with medicine residue should normally be handled through the pharmacy or as hazardous waste. Empty packaging may in some cases be sorted by material.
What is the difference between plastic and food and beverage cartons?+
Food and beverage cartons usually consist of several materials, including cardboard and plastic, and therefore often have their own waste fraction.
Waste items sorted as plastic / Plast
3D print
Air mattress with electric pump
Ajax cleaning bottle
Algae remover
Atamon preservative
Baby bathtub
Baby bottle
Bacon
Bag clip
Bead
Beer crate
Beer packaging
Blue IKEA bag
Body lotion bottle
Bottle cap
Bottle screw cap
Bottled dishwashing liquid
Bread bag closure
Broom handle
Bubble wrap
Butter
Butter spread tub
Butter tub
Cable tie
Cake foil
Cake plastic
Candy bag
Carrier bag
Carrot bag
Carton screw cap
CD case
Cellophane
Cheese snack
Chocolate bar wrapper
Chocolate box
Chocolate marshmallow packaging
Chocolate spread
Clothes hanger
Coat hanger
Cold cuts tray
Contact lens case
Contact lens solution
Corn starch
Cornflakes
Corrugated plastic
Cream capsule
Cream cheese spread
Cream tub
Creme fraiche
Creme fraiche tub
Crisps bag
Dirty plastic
Dishwashing liquid
Disposable cup
Disposable plastic tableware
Drinking yoghurt
DVD case
Empty ring binder
Fabric softener
Face cream
Fly swatter
Foil
Foil bag
Freezer bag
Frozen food bag
Frozen vegetable bag
Fruit bar
Fruit net
Glasses cleaner
Greek yoghurt tub
Hair lacquer
Hair wax
Hairbrush
Hand disinfectant
Hand soap
Haribo sweets
Herring jar
Honey tub
Household cling film
Ice cube tray
Ice lolly wrapper
Instant coffee jar
Ketchup
Ketchup bottle
Large plastic sack
Laundry detergent
Lemon net
Liquid margarine bottle
Liver pâté
Liver pate tray
M&Ms
Margarine tub
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise bottle
Meat bag
Meat packaging bag
Meat tray
Milk carton cap
Mouthwash
Mozzarella bag
Mug
Nutella jar
Olive oil bottle
Onion bag net
Onion net
Orange net
Packaging made of plastic and metal
Paint bucket
Paint bucket with residue
Plastic
Plastic bag
Plastic basin
Plastic bottle
Plastic bucket
Plastic butter tub
Plastic cap
Plastic crate
Plastic cup
Plastic cutlery
Plastic document pocket
Plastic document sleeve
Plastic drinking cup
Plastic egg tray
Plastic film
Plastic flower pot
Plastic food container
Plastic food packaging
Plastic from beer and soda crate wrap
Plastic hanger
Plastic jerrycan
Plastic laundry basket
Plastic lid
Plastic meat packaging
Plastic net
Plastic packaging from meat and cold cuts trays
Plastic plant pot
Plastic rainwater barrel
Plastic shampoo container
Plastic shopping bag
Plastic soap container
Plastic spice jar
Plastic straw
Plastic tableware
Plastic tray
Plastic tub
Plastic vinegar container
Plastic wash tub
Plastic wine cork
Plastic wrap film
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Potato starch
PP plastic
Pringles tube
Remoulade
Remoulade bottle
Remoulade tub
Remoulade tube
Rinse aid
Rye bread bag
Salmon packaging
Self-adhesive book cover
Shampoo bottle
Shopping bag
Shot tube
Shower head
Shrink wrap
Six-pack packaging
Skin tonic
Skyr tub
Soap container
Soft plastic packaging
Spice jar
Strawberry tray
Sunscreen
Tube packaging
Vacuum bag
Vegetable bag
Wall plugs
Waste bag
Waste bin stand
Waste sack
Water pistol
Window cleaner
Wine box bag
Wine box handle
Yoghurt cup
Yoghurt or skyr tub
Yoghurt tub
Ziplock bag