Housing
Waste sorting and recycling
Swedes sort their rubbish at home. Your building’s waste room shows what goes where; bottles and cans go back to the shop.
What goes where
| Type | Examples | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Food waste (matavfall) | Food scraps, coffee grounds | The food-waste bin — sorting it out is required for every household since 2024 |
| Paper and cardboard packaging | Cartons, cereal boxes | Waste room or a nearby recycling station |
| Plastic packaging | Plastic bottles (without deposit), wrappers | Waste room or a nearby recycling station |
| Metal packaging | Tins, lids | Waste room or a nearby recycling station |
| Glass packaging | Jars, bottles — clear and coloured glass separately | Waste room or a nearby recycling station |
| Bottles and cans with pant | Marked “pant” | Back to the shop’s machine — you get money back |
| Residual waste | What cannot be sorted | Residual waste bin |
Official sources
Rules and fees change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply or pay. Last checked 14 Oct 2026.