OpenZen Life

OpenZen Life is an independent app. The app and its developer do not represent a government body, municipality or municipal waste operator and do not act on their behalf.

Where does this item belong? OpenZen Life helps you find a starting point for waste sorting in Germany. Photograph a single item to receive an AI-assisted category suggestion and disposal guidance.

PHOTOGRAPH AND IDENTIFY
Take a clear picture of the item. After your consent, the photo is sent to OpenZen's own service for analysis. The result shows a waste category and a colour-coded disposal route. If recognition is uncertain, another photo or your own check may be needed.

CHOOSE A LOCAL CONTEXT
Choose NRW Standard or Düsseldorf, Münster, Köln, Bonn, Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg, Wuppertal or Bielefeld manually. Optional location access can help with selection. The app combines general guidance for Germany with these selected local profiles; it is not a complete municipal directory.

CLEAR RESULTS
Depending on the recognized material and rule context, guidance may cover packaging, paper, organic or residual waste, glass, deposit returns or special collection points. The instructions of your local waste service remain authoritative.

TRANSPARENT PROCESSING
AI analysis requires an internet connection. Recognition runs on OpenZen's infrastructure, not offline on your phone. The selected photo and local rule context are sent over an encrypted connection. You do not need a personal AI API key. Location permission is optional and manual selection remains available.

The app interface is in German. No user account and no ads.

AI can mistake one item or material for another. OpenZen Life does not guarantee correct identification of every item and does not replace advice from your local waste service. Check uncertain or hazardous waste separately and follow local instructions.

Local bin names and colours can differ. The app’s colour display is not an authoritative statement about your local bin. Current instructions from your local waste service take priority. Official sources and the independence notice are also accessible in the app.

OFFICIAL SOURCES TO CHECK
General guidance and collection systems for the selectable profiles:
Umweltbundesamt / NRW Standard: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/umwelttipps-fuer-den-alltag/richtiger-muelltrennung-ressourcen-schonen-umwelt
Düsseldorf: https://www.awista-kommunal.de/wertstofftonne
Münster: https://awm.stadt-muenster.de/verwertung-entsorgung/richtig-trennen
Köln: https://www.awbkoeln.de/wertstofftonne
Bonn: https://www.bonnorange.de/service/privatpersonen/abfall-abc/verkaufsverpackungen
Dortmund: https://www.edg.de/de/entsorgungsdienstleistungen/rein-damit/wertstoffe.htm
Essen: https://www.ebe-essen.de/abfallsorten/
Duisburg: https://www.wb-duisburg.de/abfall-abc-inhalte/wertstofftonne
Wuppertal: https://awg-wuppertal.de/abfallentsorgung.html
Bielefeld: https://www.bielefeld.de/umweltbetrieb/privathaushalte/behaelter/wertstofftonne