Sweden and Recycling: A Nation committed to circular Living

Photo by Chris Fon Pexels

Hejhej and welcome to Day 6! Today we're going green!

Sweden is internationally recognized as one of the most forward-thinking countries when it comes to environmental protection and recycling. With ambitious national targets, a deep-rooted culture of sustainability, and a population largely committed to eco-friendly living, Sweden consistently ranks among the global leaders in recycling and waste management. From strict household sorting rules to creative waste-to-energy solutions, the country is setting a powerful example of how to transition toward a circular economy.

Coming from Switzerland - often jokingly referred to as the “recycling world champion” - I expected Sweden’s systems to be good, but I was still surprised at just how seamlessly integrated and impactful they are. Honestly, I think Sweden might be doing an even better job.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels

My Experience With PET Bottles (and a Lesson learned)

During a recent visit, I had a hard time finding PET collection containers like I’m used to back home. It turns out Sweden operates under a deposit system, not the bring-back centers I’m familiar with. For instance, the deposit on a 0.5-liter PET bottle is 2 SEK (about 20 cents). I wanted to return the bottles, but when I asked at the 7/11 next to our hotel, they said they couldn’t take any returns.

Apparently, this is common. Smaller stores often don’t accept returned containers, and instead, you're meant to go to larger grocery chains or dedicated pantstationer, reverse vending machines designed for this purpose. This system has been in place since the mid-1990s, and it’s clearly working: in 2023, Swedes returned 2.72 billion cans and plastic bottles, which equals about 88% of all eligible containers.

We didn’t get the chance to return ours and left them in our hotel room. Maybe the hotel has a system to reclaim the deposits, or maybe they went into general waste. But either way, my curiosity was sparked.

How the Swedish “Pant” System Works

Here’s what I learned:

• Only containers marked with the pant logo are eligible for return.

• The Pantamera app helps locate nearby pantstationer.

• You insert your cans or bottles into the machine, which scans and tallies them.

• You get a voucher or credit note to use at the store, or you can donate the amount to a charity.

• The items are then transported to facilities, where they are processed into new materials.

• The system is so popular that there's even a verb for it: “panta” meaning to return bottles for cash.

I’m aware that Germany has a similar system. There, it’s common to see people, including those in financial need, collecting bottles in parks and bins to earn a few Euros. These programs reduce litter, encourage recycling, and provide a small but meaningful incentive.

A New Law for Food Waste in 2024

Sweden isn’t stopping at bottles and cans. As of January 2024, a new law requires that all households and businesses separate their food waste. This mandate supports Sweden’s push to reduce landfill use, increase resource recovery, and transition to climate-friendly energy solutions.

Here’s what the law includes:

• Everyone must sort: Households, restaurants, offices, and schools must separate food scraps from other waste.

• Municipalities must provide bins: All 290 local authorities are legally required to offer food waste collection infrastructure.

• Waste becomes fuel: Sorted food waste is turned into biogas that powers buses and heats homes, or is processed into fertilizer and soil enhancers.

• Education and convenience: Swedes are encouraged and guided to change their behavior through public awareness campaigns, kitchen bin programs, and easy-to-use sorting systems.

The Swedish Waste Management Association emphasizes that this “reuse revolution” wouldn’t work without the everyday efforts of people who do the literal dirty work: collecting, sorting, and processing what others throw away. It’s a coordinated effort: citizens are expected to sort and reuse, while government and industry provide the tools and systems to make it possible.

Sweden’s approach to recycling is more than a set of rules, it’s a lifestyle shaped by infrastructure, responsibility, and innovation. From the clever pant system to using food waste for climate-smart biogas, it’s clear that Swedes are not just talking about sustainability,  they’re living it.

Even for someone from Switzerland, a country with an excellent recycling reputation, it was eye-opening to see how thoroughly Sweden has embraced circular thinking. There's something refreshing about a country where sorting your garbage feels both normal and meaningful.

Have you encountered an unexpected or interesting recycling system while traveling?
Would you consider adopting parts of Sweden’s approach at home — or do you already live somewhere with similar systems?