How to dispose of crockery correctly

The most appropriate place to dispose of unwanted crockery depends mainly on the quantity of tableware and the materials. If you simply need to dispose of a single broken porcelain cup, wrap it up in old newspaper and put it in the residual waste. Larger quantities of old tableware should always be taken to a recycling centre. Items can be disposed of here free of charge or for a small fee and the process is handled professionally and correctly. 

Do you still have a few old treasures in the loft that are too good to throw away? Rather than (immediately) disposing of this crockery, you could try selling your fine dinnerware at flea markets or even to antique dealers. If you have some craft skills, you could upcycle the items with creative designs. 

Why throw away high-quality crockery with decorative features such as engravings or exclusive rims when it could still bring pleasure to others? Rather than immediately disposing of old ceramic items, you could consider donating them, selling them or using them in creative DIY projects. Vases, for example, make great plant pots or containers for tea and other essentials. Or you could even "dispose of" unwanted porcelain crockery at the next wedding-eve party.

In many cases, unbroken old crockery is thrown away simply because it no longer appeals to personal taste. However, this unwanted crockery could have a second life and be appreciated by people in need. Many charitable organisations, such as Caritas, the Red Cross or second-hand shops, pass on unwanted crockery in good condition to people in need at a low price or even free of charge.

In Germany, many bridal couples cherish the tradition of the "Polterabend”, or wedding-eve party. Before the actual wedding ceremony, it is customary to wish the bride and groom good luck with broken crockery. The bride and groom will be just as happy with the broken fragments of your unwanted tableware – there is no need to invest in new crockery. This creates a win-win situation all round. The bride and groom can enjoy the traditional broken crockery while you can easily get rid of your old dinner sets.

Don't underestimate the collector's value of your old crockery. Some old pieces from your grandparents' collections could be of interest to buyers at antique markets or on online platforms, for example. Special crockery can be identified by various distinguishing features, such as serial numbers. This is the case for certain Villeroy & Boch collector's cups from previous decades which were originally designed more for display than as everyday crockery. Special limited editions from well-known brands are also highly sought after by collectors.

Do you have a lot of old plates and pots to dispose of? Always dispose of large quantities of old cups, pots and plates at a recycling centre rather than with residual or bulky waste. As well as crockery made of porcelain, you should also dispose of sets and individual pieces in glass, ceramic, plastic, wood and earthenware at a recycling centre.