Sorting bathroom waste: 5 simple tips to avoid mistakes

In the bathroom, it’s not always clear where to dispose of your waste. Small packaging, multi-part packaging and items that look like packaging often create confusion. With a few simple habits, it becomes much easier to sort correctly and avoid common mistakes.
 

Quick tips

👉 Only packaging goes in PMD
👉 Packaging must be empty
👉When in doubt, check bettersorting.be or download the Recycle! app

1. First ask yourself: is it packaging?

Before throwing something away, check whether it is actually packaging. A shampoo bottle, toothpaste tube, deodorant or cream jar are packaging. If properly emptied, they can go in PMD. A toothbrush head, toothbrush or disposable razor are not packaging. They belong in residual waste. A simple rule: anything used to apply or use a product is usually not packaging.

2. Only dispose of properly emptied packaging

Packaging must be empty to be correctly sorted. An empty shampoo bottle or nearly empty toothpaste tube can go in PMD. If there is still product inside, even if dried, it belongs in residual waste. There’s no need to rinse packaging, but it should be properly emptied.

3. Separate parts if possible

Many bathroom packages have multiple components, such as caps, lids or pumps. If they can be easily removed, take them apart. This helps improve sorting and recycling. For example: soap pumps, bottle caps or jar lids. No need to fully dismantle items — just remove what comes off easily.

4. Create a small sorting system in your bathroom

Because bathroom waste is often small, it easily ends up in the only bin available. A simple solution:

• add a small container for PMD packaging
• or keep some items aside to sort later

This makes it easier to do the right thing every day.

5. When in doubt, check

Some items can be confusing, especially when they look like packaging.

👉 Check Bettersorting.be
👉 Or use the Recycle! app

It only takes a few seconds to avoid mistakes.