The 4 bin colours in Thailand and what goes in each

Waste bins in Thailand are sorted mainly by colour, but plenty of people still put things in the wrong one without realising. This guide covers what each colour takes, what it does not, and the items that most commonly end up in the wrong bin.

Blue bin — general waste

The blue bin is the end of the line: waste that cannot be recycled, cannot be composted, and is not hazardous. It goes to landfill or is burned for energy.

Snack wrappers, instant noodle packets, coffee sachets (multi-layer plastic, not recyclable)
Drink cartons that are not being sent for special recycling, and plastic bags with food residue
Used tissues, nappies, sanitary products
Foam food containers, straws, single-use plastic cutlery

Commonly wrong: plenty of people drop plastic water bottles into the blue bin simply because it is the closest one, even though PET bottles are among the most valuable recyclables there are. They belong in the yellow bin.

Green bin — compostable waste

Organic waste that breaks down naturally and can be turned into compost or biogas.

Food scraps, vegetable trimmings, fruit peel
Leaves, twigs, wilted flowers
Egg shells, coffee grounds, tea leaves
Small bones and meat scraps

Tip: pour off soup or broth before throwing food away. Wet waste with a lot of liquid makes the bin smell much faster and slows down the composting process.

Yellow bin — recyclables

Waste that can be sold and reprocessed into new raw material. This is the bin that actually creates value.

Clear plastic bottles (PET) — water and soft drink bottles
Aluminium and steel cans
Glass bottles and jars
Paper, cardboard boxes, newspaper

Important: rinse and dry before throwing. A bottle with sugary drink left in it, or a can smeared with food, will soak the paper sitting next to it and can ruin the recyclability of the whole bin.

Red bin — hazardous waste

Waste containing chemicals or heavy metals. Never mix this with general waste — the toxins leach into soil and water.

Batteries of all kinds, phone batteries, power banks
Light bulbs and fluorescent tubes (they contain mercury)
Aerosol cans, insecticide, bathroom cleaner
Expired medicine and cosmetics
Small electronic waste such as charging cables and earphones

More detail in where to take hazardous waste.

The five most commonly mis-sorted items

Paper coffee cups — plastic-lined inside, so not recyclable. Blue bin, but the plastic lid can go in the yellow bin.
Plastic carrier bags — recyclable if clean and dry; blue bin if soiled with food.
Pizza boxes — the greasy part goes in the blue bin, but a clean lid can be torn off for the yellow bin.
Batteries — hazardous waste, not general waste. Red bin only.
UHT milk cartons — need to be flattened, rinsed and dried, then sent to a dedicated recycling scheme.

Three steps before you throw anything away

1. Empty — pour out any remaining liquid.
2. Rinse — plain water is enough to get rid of food residue; no detergent needed.
3. Flatten — crush bottles and fold boxes flat to save space in the bin and in the collection truck.

Frequently asked questions

What if my area only has one colour of bin?

Separate your waste into different bags at home first, then take it to the nearest place with separated bins. You can find those locations on the maps on this site or in the Bin Locator app.

Do I need to remove labels from plastic bottles?

Ideally yes. The label is a different plastic from the bottle itself, so removing the label and the cap gets you a better price when selling.

Can oily food scraps go in the green bin?

Yes, but pour off excess oil first — large amounts interfere with composting. Used cooking oil should be collected separately in a bottle and taken to a used-oil collection point instead.

📱 Open the bin map on your phone Bin Locator navigates you to the nearest bin and lets you pin new ones you find. Free on Google Play.