Asking about recycling rules in Spanish

The idea

Ask ¿dónde tiro...? for a disposal location, or ¿hay que separar...? to ask whether sorting is required. Contenedor means a collection bin.

Examples

• ¿Dónde tiro esta botella de vidrio?Where do I throw away this glass bottle?
• ¿Hay que separar el papel del plástico aquí?Do we have to separate paper from plastic here?
• Mi vecina pregunta si las latas van en este contenedor.My neighbour asks if cans go in this bin.
• ¿Debemos lavar los envases antes de reciclarlos?Should we wash the containers before recycling them?
• En este edificio, ¿dónde se dejan las pilas usadas?In this building, where do people leave used batteries?
• El encargado nos explica qué hacer con los restos de comida.The caretaker explains what to do with food scraps.

Watch out

Do not assume bin colours mean the same thing everywhere; ask locally before putting something in.

Try it yourself

1. Where do I put this cardboard? Choose Dónde or Cuándo.

   Show answer or example answer

   Dónde

   Dónde asks for a place to put the cardboard.

2. Do the bottles need to be separated? Choose separar or separa.

   Show answer or example answer

   separar

   Separar is the infinitive required after hay que.

3. Do used batteries go here? Choose van or va.

   Show answer or example answer

   van

   Van agrees with the plural pilas usadas.

Use it today

Ask where a container goes and whether it needs washing.