German for Intermediate Learners: Talking About Reducing Waste with 'Wir sollten kompostieren'
Learn to discuss waste reduction in German using the modal verb sollten, separable verbs like wegwerfen, and practical composting vocabulary in a natural conversation.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
Reducing waste is a common topic in German-speaking countries, where recycling and composting are often part of daily life. In this lesson, you will learn how to make suggestions about waste using the modal verb sollten (should), talk about what you throw away with wegwerfen, and discuss composting with kompostieren. You will also practice the important difference between Müll (waste/rubbish), Abfall (waste/refuse), and Biomüll (organic waste). The lesson focuses on a conversation between two flatmates deciding how to reduce their household waste. Pay attention to verb placement: with sollten, the main verb goes to the end of the sentence.
By the end, you can…
- suggest reducing waste using wir sollten + infinitive.
- name common types of waste and composting items in German.
- ask and answer questions about separating waste in a household.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Wir sollten den Biomüll kompostieren.
We should compost the organic waste.
veer ZOL-ten dane BEE-oh-muel kom-pohs-TEE-ren
Use this to make a suggestion about composting organic waste. Biomüll is the standard term for food and garden waste collected separately.
Ich werfe die Plastikverpackung in den Gelben Sack.
I throw the plastic packaging into the yellow bag.
ikh VER-fuh dee PLAS-tik-fer-pak-oong in dane GEL-ben zak
The Gelbe Sack is the yellow bag used in Germany for plastic and metal packaging. In Austria, you may hear Gelber Sack too, but collection systems vary.
Wir sollten weniger Lebensmittel wegwerfen.
We should throw away less food.
veer ZOL-ten VAY-ni-ger LAY-bens-mit-tel VEK-ver-fen
Wegwerfen is a separable verb: weg- goes to the end in the infinitive with sollten. This sentence is useful for talking about food waste.
Kannst du den Rest in den Komposteimer tun?
Can you put the leftovers in the compost bin?
KANST doo dane rest in dane kom-POST-eye-mer toon
Komposteimer is a common word for a small indoor compost bin. This is a polite request using können.
Wir müssen den Müll richtig trennen.
We have to separate the rubbish properly.
veer MUES-sen dane MUEL RIKH-tikh TREN-nen
Müll trennen means to separate waste. This is a common phrase in German-speaking households.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To make a suggestion with 'should', use sollten + infinitive at the end: Wir sollten den Biomüll kompostieren. (We should compost the organic waste.) The verb kompostieren stays in the infinitive at the end. This pattern works with any main verb: Wir sollten weniger wegwerfen. (We should throw away less.) Note that sollten is the Konjunktiv II form of sollen and is used for advice or suggestions. For a direct suggestion to one person, use du solltest: Du solltest den Müll trennen. (You should separate the rubbish.)
When to use it
Use wir sollten when you want to propose a shared action in a friendly, non-demanding way. It is common in flatmate conversations, environmental discussions, and everyday planning. For example: Wir sollten einen Komposteimer kaufen. (We should buy a compost bin.) If you want to be more direct about an obligation, use wir müssen: Wir müssen den Müll richtig trennen. (We have to separate the rubbish properly.) In Austria and Switzerland, Müll is understood, but Abfall is also very common in official contexts. In Switzerland, you often see Kehricht for household rubbish.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Sag mal, wir haben so viele Lebensmittelreste. Wir sollten wirklich einen Komposteimer anschaffen.
By the way, we have so many food leftovers. We really should get a compost bin.zahk mahl, veer HAH-ben zoh FEE-luh LAY-bens-mit-tel-res-ten. veer ZOL-ten VIRK-likh AY-nen kom-POST-eye-mer AN-shaf-fenJa, das stimmt. Aber wo stellen wir den Eimer hin? In der Küche ist wenig Platz.
Yes, that's true. But where do we put the bin? There's little space in the kitchen.yah, das SHTIMT. AH-ber voh SHTEL-len veer dane EYE-mer hin? in dair KUECH-uh ist VAY-nikh platsWir könnten ihn unter die Spüle stellen. Und wir sollten auch weniger Plastik kaufen.
We could put it under the sink. And we should also buy less plastic.veer KOEN-ten een OON-ter dee SHPUE-luh SHTEL-len. oont veer ZOL-ten OUKH VAY-ni-ger PLAS-tik KOW-fenGute Idee. Dann werfen wir den Biomüll nicht mehr in den Restmüll.
Good idea. Then we won't throw the organic waste into the residual waste anymore.GOO-tuh ee-DAY. dan VER-fen veer dane BEE-oh-muel nikht mair in dane REST-muelA little context goes a long way
In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, waste separation is taken seriously, but the rules differ by region. In Germany, Biomüll is often collected in a brown bin, while in Austria it is called Biomüll or Bioabfall. In Switzerland, organic waste collection varies by canton. Using the right local term shows respect for local practices, but German speakers will understand standard terms like Biomüll and Restmüll everywhere.
One thing to watch for
Wir sollten kompostieren den Biomüll.
Try this instead: With sollten, the main verb must go to the end of the sentence: Wir sollten den Biomüll kompostieren. The infinitive kompostieren stays at the end, not right after sollten.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'We should throw away less food' in German?
Show a sample answer
Wir sollten weniger Lebensmittel wegwerfen.
This uses sollten + infinitive at the end. Wegwerfen is separable, so weg- stays with the infinitive at the end. You could also say Wir sollten weniger Essen wegwerfen, which is equally correct.
2What is the German word for the yellow bag used for plastic packaging in Germany?
Show a sample answer
Der Gelbe Sack.
Der Gelbe Sack is the standard term in Germany. In Austria, the system may be called Gelber Sack or use a different collection method, but the term is widely understood.
3Translate: 'Can you put the leftovers in the compost bin?'
Show a sample answer
Kannst du den Rest in den Komposteimer tun?
This uses kannst du for a polite request. Den Rest is accusative, and in den Komposteimer shows movement into the bin. You could also say Kannst du die Reste in den Komposteimer tun? with plural die Reste.
Use wir sollten + infinitive at the end to suggest reducing waste, and remember that waste separation terms like Biomüll, Restmüll, and Gelber Sack vary by region but are widely understood.
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