How to maintain your home and recycle your waste

Luxembourg residents maintain their homes. This is a legal obligation. As a result, they also generate a lot of waste.

In 2022, Luxembourg ranks third in Europe in terms of household waste. Each resident throws away an average of 721 kilograms of waste per year, or nearly 2 kilograms per day. So, if we can't reduce this amount, how can we at least sort and recycle it? We'll tell you everything you need to know here.

Maintaining your home in Luxembourg

Maintaining your home is an obligation in Luxembourg, whether you are a homeowner or a tenant. Tenants are responsible for minor day-to-day maintenance repairs. On the other hand, landlords must provide housing that is in good condition and sanitary. All major repairs are their responsibility.

Tenants' obligation to maintain their home in Luxembourg

In addition to paying rent on time, tenants must ensure the daily maintenance of their home. Tenants must, in particular, ensure that locks are in good working order and replace burnt-out light bulbs. They must also have the boiler serviced annually by an authorized service provider.

At the end of the lease, the tenant must return the property in a clean condition, excluding normal wear and tear. This applies in particular to paintwork, for which normal "wear and tear" is tolerated. However, the tenant must repair any holes in the walls or floor or any other damage to the property. This means that any decoration work or modifications to the property must be authorized in advance by the landlord.

When the tenant vacates the premises, the landlord may require that the property be returned in a condition strictly identical to that of the move-in inspection. See our guide to renting a property in Luxembourg.

In the event of a disagreement, the landlord may retain the security deposit requested at the beginning of the lease. Every year, the Luxembourg courts handle numerous disputes between landlords and tenants.

Landlord's obligations to the tenant

The landlord must provide the tenant with safe, healthy, and functional housing that does not endanger the safety or health of the occupants. Any work required to bring the property up to standard, faulty parts, or damage related to an incident are the landlord's responsibility.

Structural work involving significant expenditure is normally the responsibility of the landlord. However, agreements may be negotiated between the two parties, for example in exchange for a rent reduction.

Hiring cleaning staff to maintain your home

To maintain your home, you can hire cleaning staff directly. Employers of domestic staff must comply with Luxembourg labor legislation. They must sign an employment contract with their domestic employee.

To maintain your home, you can also hire companies that specialize in cleaning and maintenance. These companies will take care of all the administrative issues related to hiring employees. They will then bill the beneficiary household for cleaning or maintenance services. It is also possible to use companies that specialize in personal services.

Did you know that you can deduct cleaning costs from your taxable income?

Mandatory clearing of sidewalks in winter

In Luxembourg, residents are required to maintain the sidewalks and gutters in front of their homes. These must always be clean and allow pedestrians to pass.

Residents must therefore ensure that hedges or plants do not encroach on the sidewalk. In addition, in the fall, they are asked to clear away any dead leaves that have accumulated in front of their house or building. They can dispose of them via garden waste or recycling centers. In the event of frost or snow, the occupants of a building or house must clear any obstructed or frozen sidewalks in front of their building. Even if the sidewalks belong to the municipal administration, residents must clear a 1-meter-wide strip to allow pedestrians to pass.

Occupants must also spread a substance that prevents freezing and therefore slipping in front of their building. Coarse salt for de-icing can be easily found in supermarkets or gas stations in winter. In the event of a fall in front of your home, you will have to prove that you have done everything necessary to clear the sidewalks and prevent falls.

In the event of an accident, your civil liability insurance may be called into play. Make sure you are properly insured!

If you want to ensure good relations with your neighbors, maintaining the exterior of your home is very important. Don't leave anything lying around!

Waste collection and sanitation services

When you register as a resident, your municipality will provide you with several trash cans and other specific containers.

A company contracted by the municipality will collect these containers periodically according to a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule. Your municipality will provide you with this collection schedule on a regular basis.

Your household waste, green waste, glass bottles, paper, and newspapers will also be collected regularly for a fee by your municipality. The cost of the fee is either fixed or calculated according to the number of times you use this service.

For the City of Luxembourg, you can consult the

To keep the environment clean and tidy, local authorities organize a major clean-up campaignevery year in the municipality with Aktioun Grouss Botz.

Waste collection and bin colors

Do you have household waste to dispose of and bins to empty? Do you want to tidy up your garage or basement? Do you have unwanted items to recycle? In Luxembourg, waste collection and recycling are managed by the municipalities.

At a time when we are increasingly mindful of protecting our planet, here is a quick reminder on how to sort your waste correctly. Several different colored bins are available in Luxembourg. How do you know which one to use?

Gray trash can in Luxembourg for household waste

The gray bin is for all your non-recyclable household waste. The company in charge will collect your waste regularly for incineration.

You should also dispose of used tissues and paper towels in this bin. This also applies to baking paper and plastic packaging that is not accepted in the blue bag.

Do not put metal or hazardous materials in your gray bin. You can take these to the waste collection center. This also applies to car batteries, printer toner, paint cans, etc. Check with your local authority for more information.

Shopping centers collect batteries, used light bulbs, and various types of waste in containers provided for this purpose.

Recycling paper, plastic, waste, and packaging in blue containers

Blue bins for recyclable waste in Luxembourg

The blue bin is for recyclable waste such as clean paper and cardboard. Do not put pizza boxes, baking paper, receipts, greasy, dirty, waxed or plastic-coated paper in it.

However, you can put old newspapers or magazines, flyers, school notebooks, etc. in the blue bin.

Even though you can throw books in the blue bin, consider using exchange points such as book cabinets or free exchange areas in recycling centers. This way, your books can find a second life.

Valorlux blue bags for PMC packaging

Blue PMC (Valorlux) bags are used for recycling packaging waste. You can obtain them free of charge from your local municipal administration. Residents of Luxembourg City can find these bags at the Bierger-Center, City Hall, the "Badanstalt," the Bonnevoie municipal swimming pool, the recycling center, and the Sanitation Department.

The blue bags are for PMC packaging, i.e. plastic bottles and containers, metal packaging such as cans, and beverage cartons.

You can also add plastic film and bags, pots, trays, and plastic cups.

Be careful not to throw away black or multi-layer plastics such as coffee, crisps, or pet food packaging. Styrofoam or polystyrene is also prohibited. You must not throw away medicine blister packs or cardboard.

Valorlux's "Mon Sac Bleu" app to help you sort your waste correctly

Valorlux provides a free app called Mon Sac Bleu on sorting techniques. Find out more, otherwise your waste may not be collected and you may receive a red penalty sticker. You will then be required to re-sort your waste and your collection will be postponed.

The Valorlux app informs you of the collection dates for your blue recycling bags in your municipality of residence. " Mon Sac Bleu" also provides the keys to recycling in accordance with Luxembourg rules. You will also find some tips to prevent your bags from flying away, for example . Everything you need to sort your waste in the best possible conditions and avoid fines!

The app also provides information on the many recycling centers in Luxembourg. It gives you all their contact details and opening hours. It even offers a GPS system that allows you to find your way there easily, based on your real-time location!

Want to get rid of some waste while you 're out shopping? " Mon Sac Bleu" also provides information on the various RE-BOX collection centers located in certain shopping centers in Luxembourg. It's an eco-friendly way to get rid of your waste quickly and easily!

Green bin for glass

The green bin in Luxembourg is for glass only, such as empty glass bottles. Remember to remove any caps, lids, or metal or plastic sleeves. Please note that in some municipalities, the glass bin is a different color.

All other types of glass, such as window panes, mirrors, earthenware or ceramic dishes and plates, light bulbs, and full bottles, must not be disposed of in these bins. Light bulbs can be disposed of in the recycling areas of shopping centers.

Organic and biodegradable waste – Biomüll

Biodegradable waste collected is a renewable energy resource, as it is used to generate energy. Energy suppliers now offer energy produced from Biomüll.

Local authorities provide special containers for the collection of this bio-waste for an annual fee. Ask your local authority for more information.

The brown bin in Luxembourg, green in other municipalities, collects all your kitchen waste.You can throw away food scraps, spoiled food, tea bags, coffee grounds, etc. Garden waste (excluding wood), flowers (excluding roses), plants, grass, and small animal droppings can also be disposed of in this bin. Biodegradable bags can also be placed in this bin.

However, all woody garden waste, plant soil, fats and other oils, ashes, charcoal, cigarette butts, cat litter, and baby diapers cannot be disposed of in this bin.

Do you have a garden? Why not set up your own compost bin? You can use the compost you create for your plants and flowers.

Would you like to have a garden to grow your own vegetables? See community gardens

Products that are harmful to the environment

With the "Superdreckskëscht® " initiative, the Luxembourg government has implemented a number of measures to recycle our waste, particularly products that are harmful to the environment.

You will find collection points at waste disposal centers, as well as in a number of stores in Luxembourg. In addition, a mobile collection is organized four times a year in each municipality. Ask your local municipal administration for more information.

Disposing of bulky items in Luxembourg

Bulky items can be collected directly by prior appointment. Contact your local authority formore information . After affixing a label provided when you make the appointment, you can leave bulky items directly in front of your home. They will be collected at the agreed time.

Waste collection centers and recycling centers in Luxembourg

Free access to your local recycling center

Municipalities also offer their residents free waste collection centers or recycling centers. Residents can bring their recyclable or toxic waste there if they do not have all the bins listed above.

Access to recycling centers is free and reserved for residents of the municipality. Check with your local municipality for more information.

You can drop off many types of recyclable waste at municipal waste collection centers: plastic, glass, cardboard, wood, etc. Each material has its own place in the various bins or containers provided.

You can also drop off your toxic waste at the waste collection center. It will be disposed of properly.

Give objects a second life in recycling corners

In addition, you will find a corner in these waste collection centers where you can drop off items you no longer need.

This way, you can make them available to other people who might be interested in giving them a second life. You can drop off toys, books, children's clothing, and decorative items that you no longer need and that are in good condition so they don't end up in the trash. This is a great way to recycle everything. Who knows? Maybe you'll find some good deals yourself that you can give a second life to?

The City of Luxembourg recycling center is located at 48 Rue d'Arlon in Luxembourg-Belair. It is also accessible to residents of the municipality of Strassen.

Circular economy in Luxembourg

Luxembourg's position on recycling

Until recently, Luxembourg was considered a poor performer in terms of plastic waste recycling. According to a 2017 Eurostat study, Luxembourg ranked 21st out of 28 EU countries in terms of plastic waste recycling. The average recycling rate in Luxembourg was 33%, compared to a European average of 42%.

It should be noted that, on average, a Luxembourg resident throws away nearly 800 kg of waste per year, including 52 kg of plastic waste! The Luxembourg government's objective is therefore to limit the use of plastic packaging in the coming years. The target of 40 bags per person per year by 2025, compared to 140 currently, shows the scale of the challenge. The distribution of single-use plastic bags in supermarkets and other shops is now prohibited.

Take part in the "Long Live The Summer" event, committed to sustainable development.

Measures taken in Luxembourg to reduce waste

The new 2022 waste law provides for the following measures to be implemented gradually until January 1, 2025:

Reduction of waste in supermarkets

• No more free bags. Remember to bring your Valorlux Ecobag or eco-bags.
• Beverage section: introduction of a deposit for beverages
• Fruit and vegetable section: no more fruit and vegetables wrapped in plastic for quantities of less than 1.5 kg. Bring your own fabric Superbags.
• Area dedicated to packaging collection at the checkout

Bring large eco-friendly bags with you when you go shopping in Luxembourg. You can buy them directly at the supermarket checkout. If necessary, you can replace them free of charge for life. Don't forget to bring a small reusable cloth bag for your fruit and vegetables.

Limiting waste at home

• In order to limit waste related to the distribution of flyers, residents must indicate on their mailboxes their explicit agreement to receive flyers. Flyers placed on cars are prohibited.
• Recycling centers are now resource centers that promote the reuse of various items, particularly electrical and electronic devices. You can also hold garage sales to sell your unwanted items and earn a little money at the same time.
• During renovation or construction work, the project owner is now responsible for sorting different types of waste separately.

Protect our environment by participating in the "Grouss Botz" initiative in your community.

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