Waste Sorting and Disposal in Sweden

What Expats Need to Know?

Moving to Sweden comes with many lifestyle changes, and one of the most important aspects of daily life is waste sorting and recycling. Sweden is known for its strong environmental commitment, and proper waste disposal is a key part of that. For newcomers, understanding the system may seem overwhelming at first, but we’re here to help you adapt with ease.

Understanding Sweden's Waste Sorting System

The Swedish waste sorting system is comprehensive and standardized across the country, though minor variations may exist between municipalities. Understanding the color-coded labelling system and proper sorting procedures is essential for all residents.

Standard Waste Categories

Swedish households are typically required to sort waste into the following categories:

Food Waste (Matavfall)

This category includes all organic kitchen waste such as food scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, paper towels, non-dyed napkins, and wooden single-use items. Municipalities generally provide special paper bags for collecting food waste.

Paper Packaging (Pappersfӧrpackningar)

For example: Paper cups, toilet roll tubes, shoe boxes, paper bags, milk and juice cartons all belong in this category. Note that newspapers and printed paper is sorted separately.

Newspapers and Printed Paper (Tidningar)

This category includes magazines, newspapers, diaries, catalogues, flyers, and drawing and writing papers. Books with bindings and envelopes typically go into residual waste.

Plastic (Plast)

All plastic packaging containers, bags, wrapping, bottles, tubes, refill packs, and food packaging like crisp packets. Some municipalities further separate plastic into hard and soft categories.

Metal (Metall)

For example: Cans, bottle caps, tubes, aluminium foil, aluminium containers, soda cans, jar lids, and empty paint tins etc.

Glass (Glas)

Glass is typically separated into coloured and clear glass containers. This includes bottles and jars, but not items like drinking glasses, ceramics, or window glass, these typically belongs to residual waste.

Cardboard (Kartong)

Cardboard boxes and packaging materials.

Garden Waste (Trädgårdsavfall)

A separate category for plant materials from gardens and landscaping.

Non-recyclable/Residual Waste (Restavfall)

This category is for waste that cannot be recycled, such as dyed napkins, padded envelopes, vacuum cleaner bags, razor blades, toothbrushes, and diapers3.

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Waste Sorting and Disposal in Sweden

Understanding Sweden's Waste Sorting System

Plastic (Plast)

All plastic packaging containers, bags, wrapping, bottles, tubes, refill packs, and food packaging like crisp packets. Some municipalities further separate plastic into hard and soft categories.

Metal (Metall)

For example: Cans, bottle caps, tubes, aluminium foil, aluminium containers, soda cans, jar lids, and empty paint tins etc.

Glass (Glas)

Glass is typically separated into coloured and clear glass containers. This includes bottles and jars, but not items like drinking glasses, ceramics, or window glass, these typically belongs to residual waste.

Cardboard (Kartong)

Cardboard boxes and packaging materials.

Garden Waste (Trädgårdsavfall)

A separate category for plant materials from gardens and landscaping.

Non-recyclable/Residual Waste (Restavfall)

This category is for waste that cannot be recycled, such as dyed napkins, padded envelopes, vacuum cleaner bags, razor blades, toothbrushes, and diapers3.

Hazardous Waste (Farligt avfall)

Items containing hazardous substances require special handling and collection4.

Electronic Waste (Elektronikavfall)

All electronic devices and components must be separately collected and recycled4.

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