What do the colors of trash bins mean in Cyprus?

While walking through the cities of Cyprus, and even in rural areas, you may see various trash bins that differ in both color and shape.

We have already written about waste sorting and recycling in Cyprus, and now we explain what type of waste goes into which bins.

In Cyprus, there is a clear color differentiation for waste containers: blue, brown, green, orange, white... They also differ in shape. Let’s not get confused together.

Types and colors of trash bins in Cyprus

• Blue containers
• Brown containers
• Green bell containers
• Brown-green containers
• Purple containers
• White containers
• Blue barrels
• Orange containers
• Battery-shaped containers

Blue containers

These bins have the abbreviation PMD, which stands for Plastic packaging, Metal packaging, Drinks cartons—meaning plastic packaging, metal packaging, and drink cartons.

Brown containers

These are meant for various types of paper, as indicated on the container. However, not all paper is accepted—drink cartons, as mentioned above, go into the blue bin. The brown bin is for newspapers, magazines, food product boxes, office paper, and flyers. Exceptions include items that seem like paper but contain very little of it, such as wet wipes, toilet paper, stickers, and wrapping paper, especially foil-lined.

Green bell containers

These are intended for glass. Their bell shape is distinctive, with an opening at the top for glass bottles. However, light bulbs, glassware (including porcelain, earthenware, ceramics), and broken glass are not allowed.

Brown-green containers

These collection points are for clothes, shoes, and other accessories, which are then sold in charity shops. Proceeds go to the cancer support fund PASYKAF, whose name is also found on the bins.

Purple containers

Similar to the previous brown-green containers, these accept various types of textiles, which are either distributed through resellers or sent for recycling. The difference is that they are managed by a different organization—Anakyklos Perivallontiki.

White containers

These are marked WEEE and are intended for collecting electronics, household appliances, power tools, measuring, sports, and medical equipment, as well as lamps, except incandescent bulbs: fluorescent, halogen, LED, and sodium lamps. These containers are usually found near electronics stores.

Blue barrels

These are marked with images of lamps for disposal, such as incandescent bulbs. They are usually placed near stores that sell lighting equipment.

Orange containers

These are intended for waste containing pesticides and other harmful chemicals, usually packaging from such products. They can be found near stores that sell these products.

Battery-shaped containers

These columns shaped like batteries clearly indicate the type of waste they accept: lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium batteries, as well as alkaline, lithium, and saline batteries. There is a weight limit of 2 kilograms. You can find these containers in grocery stores, banks, schools, and other public places.

Frequently asked questions about waste in Cyprus

Where is waste recycled in Cyprus?

Waste is not recycled on the island but sorted and sent to recycling plants in Europe. Only glass remains on the island, which is used in construction.

What types of waste are accepted for recycling in Cyprus?

This includes paper and cardboard, plastic (PET, HDPE, and LDPE), glass bottles and jars, metal (aluminum and steel), electronic waste, batteries and accumulators, organic waste, and textiles.

What companies handle waste disposal in Cyprus?

Main companies: Green Dot Cyprus (plastic and metal packaging, drink cartons and bottles, paper, glass); Anakyklos Perivallontiki and PASYKAF (textiles and old clothes); AFIS (accumulators and batteries); WEEE (electronics and electrical equipment).

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