Waste Sorting and Recycling in the Republic of Cyprus
In the Republic of Cyprus, packaging is usually sorted into 3 streams: PMD (plastic and metal packaging + beverage cartons), Paper (paper and cardboard), and Glass (glass bottles and jars). Dispose of batteries in AFIS bins (up to 2 kg at a time), and electronics and lamps at WEEE collection points. The ReCYclingCY app and the telephone number 7 000 0090 help locate the nearest bins. Bulky waste is usually removed by the municipality upon request; estimated costs in various municipalities range from 20 EUR – 90 EUR (verify the rules with your municipality).
- Types of recyclable waste
- Waste collection companies
- Collection points and methods
- Frequently Asked Questions
Types of recyclable waste in the Republic of Cyprus
Separate collection in the Republic of Cyprus is primarily structured around packaging (PMD, Paper, Glass), as well as specific streams: batteries, electronics/electrical appliances, lamps, textiles, and certain hazardous waste.
| Category | Where to dispose | Brief rules |
|---|---|---|
| PMD (packaging) | blue bins or transparent bags (if door-to-door collection applies) | packaging only: plastic, metal, beverage cartons/boxes |
| Paper (paper and cardboard) | brown bins or brown bags (if door-to-door collection applies) | dry paper and cardboard; Tetra Pak belongs to PMD |
| Glass | green "bells"/bins for glass | usually bottles and jars; not lamps and not ceramics |
| Batteries | AFIS bins | dry batteries and small accumulators, usually up to 2 kg at a time |
| Electronics and electrical appliances (WEEE) | WEEE points, bins/take-back at retailers | submit whole; lamps — according to collection point rules |
| Textiles | clothing bins (e.g., PASYKAF and other operators) | pack in a closed bag; wet/heavily soiled textiles are usually unsuitable |
Paper and cardboard
Submit dry paper and cardboard items: newspapers, magazines, leaflets, office paper, boxes. Heavily soiled or wet paper generally degrades recycling quality and may be rejected during sorting.
Plastic and metal (PMD packaging)
PMD in the Republic of Cyprus specifically refers to packaging: plastic bottles and flasks, plastic food and household chemical packaging, metal cans and metal packaging, as well as beverage cartons/boxes (like Tetra Pak and similar).
Glass
Glass bottles and jars are usually collected separately in green bins. Window glass, mirrors, ceramics, and lamps most often belong to other streams and must not be placed in the glass container.
Electrical and electronic waste
This includes consumer electronics and electrical appliances (e.g., small appliances, cables, devices). Use WEEE points and bins for disposal (collection centers, retailer bins, special collection drives).
Batteries
Dispose of used batteries and small accumulators in AFIS bins. AFIS rules usually state a limit: up to 2 kg per submission; batteries must not be "built-in" to a device.
Organic waste
Composting and separate organic collection depend on the municipality. In some places, brown bins/pilot programs or compost initiatives are available, while in others, organics go into the general stream. Check the rules in your municipality.
Textiles
Donate clothes and textiles (in a condition suitable for reuse or sorting) to textile collection operator bins. Rules and operator contacts are usually displayed on the bin.
Waste collection and disposal companies
In the Republic of Cyprus, separate streams are most often managed by collective systems and operators whose names are indicated on bins and bags.
Green Dot Cyprus
Packaging: PMD (plastic/metal/beverage cartons), Paper (paper and cardboard), Glass (glass packaging). The ReCYclingCY app and the support line 7 000 0090 are used to find locations and program tips.
Anakyklos Perivallontiki
Textile bin operators may vary by district; if Anakyklos Perivallontiki is listed on the bin, follow the on-site instructions (usually clothing and textile collection).
PASYKAF
Found on clothing/textile collection bins. Pack items in a closed bag before depositing and do not submit wet or heavily soiled textiles.
AFIS Cyprus
Collection of dry batteries and small accumulators (usually up to 2 kg at a time). AFIS bins are often located in supermarkets, banks, schools, telecommunications shops, and public buildings.
WEEE Electrocyclosis Cyprus
Collection of electronics and electrical appliances, as well as specific lamp categories (e.g., fluorescent) — according to the rules of the specific collection point.
Recyclable material collection points and methods in the Republic of Cyprus
Recyclable material collection is organized as a combination of municipal services, separate packaging collection systems, and specialized streams (batteries, WEEE, textiles). Rules may differ across municipalities, so rely on the labeling and instructions on the bins.
Municipal disposal programs
Many municipalities operate separate collection programs: container sites, collection schedules, and sometimes door-to-door collection. Check the schedule and accepted fractions on your municipality's website/contacts.
Green Dot packaging collection: bins and bags
In districts where door-to-door service is active, PMD and paper are often collected in bags: transparent for PMD and brown for paper (bags are usually available in supermarkets). In the container system, blue bins for PMD, brown for paper, and green for glass are more common.
How to find the nearest bins
- Open the ReCYclingCY app and select the desired waste category (PMD, Paper, Glass, batteries, WEEE, etc.).
- Allow geolocation access or enter the district/city manually.
- If help is needed, call the support line 7 000 0090 and verify the nearest location and submission rules.
Collection centers and special streams
Bulky items, some hazardous waste, and specialized categories (e.g., electronics and lamps) are often accepted at collection centers or through specific drives/retailer collection points. Always check exactly what a specific point accepts to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.
Bulky waste
Usually, bulky waste (furniture, mattresses, etc.) needs to be removed via the municipality: you submit a request and receive a date/removal conditions. Paid removal occurs in various municipalities; an estimated range encountered in practice is 20 EUR – 90 EUR depending on volume and waste type. Verify exact costs and rules with your municipality.
Reverse vending machines for bottles and cans
The practice of accepting containers via reverse vending machines in supermarkets is expanding in the Republic of Cyprus. As of February 10, 2026, public discussions described a deposit system model where returning a plastic bottle or aluminum can is expected to yield a refund of 0.10 EUR for containers up to 0.5L and 0.15 EUR for larger volumes, with the issuance of a shopping coupon. If and when the system launches in your area, rules (list of containers, rates, collection points) will be published officially and within the supermarket/operator network.
Frequently asked questions about waste sorting and recycling in the Republic of Cyprus
What is more important — the container color or the label?
The label and pictograms are more important than the color. Different districts may have different bin types, so always rely on the marking: PMD, Paper, Glass, AFIS, WEEE, etc.
Do I need to wash packaging before putting it in PMD?
Usually, it is sufficient to fully empty the packaging and remove large residues. Heavily soiled packaging degrades sorting and may be rejected.
Where should I throw Tetra Pak?
Cardboard beverage cartons/boxes (like Tetra Pak and similar) belong to the PMD category and usually go into the blue bin or transparent PMD bag (if bag collection is active).
Where should I dispose of lamps?
Dispose of lamps at points/bins for lamps and WEEE, if provided for by the specific collection point's rules. Ordinary incandescent bulbs and some lamp types may not be accepted everywhere — check instructions on site.
Where should I dispose of batteries and small accumulators?
In AFIS bins. Dry batteries and small accumulators up to 2 kg per visit are usually accepted; batteries must not be built into a device.
Is waste recycled within the Republic of Cyprus?
Some streams undergo sorting and preparation locally, while others may be sent for recycling outside the Republic of Cyprus. For glass in packaging programs, local recycling using processed material for construction purposes is often indicated. Infrastructure is developing: in late 2025, news mentioned support for a modern packaging sorting complex project (paper/PMD), which should increase the share of high-quality sorting.
Author
I am a person who is not afraid to change life when my heart tells me that something greater lies ahead. I am originally from Belarus. I have journeyed from pedagogical and economic education to the financial sector and many years of work in logistics — a world where everything moves, changes,…