das
Altpapier
♻️ What exactly is 'Altpapier'?
Das Altpapier (noun, neuter) refers to collected, used paper and cardboard intended for recycling (Wiederverwertung). It's an important raw material (Rohstoff) for producing new paper and cardboard products.
It's a collective term for various paper waste items like newspapers (Zeitungen), magazines (Zeitschriften), cardboard boxes (Kartons), paper packaging (Verpackungen aus Papier), etc., that are no longer needed.
⚠️ Important: Not all paper is Altpapier! Coated paper (e.g., photos, baking paper), soiled paper (e.g., used paper tissues), or wallpaper often don't belong in the Altpapier bin but in the general waste (Restmüll).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Books, documents → mostly neutral.
Caution: see exceptions
Grammar of 'das Altpapier' in Detail
Das Altpapier is a neuter noun. It is mostly used as an uncountable mass noun in the singular.
| Case | Article | Noun | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Altpapier | the waste paper |
| Genitive | des | Altpapiers / Altpapieres | of the waste paper |
| Dative | dem | Altpapier / Altpapiere | to/for the waste paper |
| Accusative | das | Altpapier | the waste paper |
A plural form (die Altpapiere) is rare and only used when referring to different types or large quantities of waste paper. Usually, even then, people refer to 'das Altpapier' or 'die Altpapiermengen' (the quantities of waste paper).
Example Sentences
- Bitte wirf die Zeitung ins Altpapier. (Please throw the newspaper into the waste paper.)
- Die blaue Tonne ist für das Altpapier vorgesehen. (The blue bin is designated for the waste paper.)
- Die Sammlung des Altpapiers findet jeden Monat statt. (The collection of the waste paper takes place every month.)
- Aus dem Altpapier werden neue Produkte hergestellt. (New products are made from the waste paper.)
How 'Altpapier' is used 🚮
The term das Altpapier is primarily used in the context of waste separation (Mülltrennung) and recycling.
- Everyday language: When talking about the paper bin (Papiertonne), paper collection (Papiersammlung), or throwing away newspapers and cardboard boxes. ("Bringst du bitte das Altpapier raus?" - "Could you please take out the waste paper?")
- Environment & Recycling: In discussions and texts about resource conservation (Ressourcenschonung), circular economy (Kreislaufwirtschaft), and environmental protection (Umweltschutz). ("Durch das Recycling von Altpapier werden Bäume geschützt." - "Recycling waste paper protects trees.")
- Industry: As a term for the raw material in the paper manufacturing industry. ("Die Fabrik verarbeitet täglich Tonnen von Altpapier." - "The factory processes tons of waste paper daily.")
It is clearly distinguished from Restmüll (general waste), Biomüll (organic waste), or Verpackungsmüll (packaging waste, often collected in a yellow bag/bin - Gelber Sack/Tonne).
Never forget: Mnemonics for 'das Altpapier'
Article Mnemonic
Think of das Papier (the paper). Papier is neuter. Even when it's alt (old), it remains das Papier -> das Altpapier.
Meaning Mnemonic
Alt (old) + Papier (paper) = paper that is old and ready to be discarded. Simply remember the compound structure! ♻️
Other Words for Altpapier & Opposites
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Papierabfall: General term for paper waste.
- Makulatur: Often refers to printed but unusable or worthless paper (e.g., misprints).
- Papierreste: Smaller pieces, leftovers.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Frischfaserpapier / Frischpapier: Paper made from new wood fibers, not recycled.
- Neupapier: Paper that hasn't been used yet.
- Wertvolles Dokument: Paper with important content (opposite of a disposable product).
🚨 Beware of Confusion: Papiermüll (paper trash) can sometimes include soiled or non-recyclable paper, whereas Altpapier specifically refers to paper meant for the recycling process.
A Little Paper Joke 😄
Warum hat das Altpapier nie Stress?
(Why is waste paper never stressed?)
Weil es immer ganz zerknüllt und entspannt ist!
(Because it's always completely crumpled and relaxed!) 😉
Poem: Ode to the Paper Bin
Zeitung ausgelesen, schnell vorbei,
(Newspaper read, quickly gone,)
Der Karton ist leer, eins, zwei, drei.
(The cardboard box is empty, one, two, three.)
Ab damit, zum blauen Kasten,
(Off with it, to the blue container,)
Das Altpapier soll nicht mehr lasten.
(The waste paper should no longer be a burden.)
Zerknüllt, gefaltet, rein damit,
(Crumpled, folded, in it goes,)
Fürs Recycling, Schritt für Schritt.
(For recycling, step by step.)
Aus alt wird neu, welch tolle Sache,
(From old comes new, what a great thing,)
Damit der Wald auch morgen lache!
Paper Riddle 🤔
Ich war mal Zeitung, Buch, Karton,
(I once was newspaper, book, cardboard box,)
Jetzt lieg ich hier und warte schon.
(Now I lie here already waiting.)
In einer Tonne, oft ganz blau,
(In a bin, often completely blue,)
Werd' ich gesammelt, ganz genau.
(I am collected, precisely.)
Man wirft mich weg, doch bin ich wert,
(I'm thrown away, yet I have value,)
Ein neuer Anfang mir beschert.
(A new beginning is granted to me.)
Was bin ich? / What am I?
Lösung / Solution: Das Altpapier (Waste paper)
Additional Info & Origin 🤓
Word Composition
The word Altpapier is a compound noun, formed from:
- alt: Adjective, meaning "old" or here "used", "no longer new".
- das Papier: Noun, neuter (the paper).
The grammatical gender (Genus) is determined by the main noun "Papier": das Papier -> das Altpapier.
Trivia
Germany is one of the countries with the highest recycling rates for waste paper in Europe. The separate collection of Altpapier has a long tradition and is an important contribution to environmental protection.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Altpapier?
The correct article for Altpapier is das. It refers to collected, used paper and cardboard intended for recycling. Remember: das Papier (the paper) -> das Altpapier (the old/waste paper).