Sweden is generally pretty good with recycling, especially compared to other countries. Today 1/3 of all waste is recycled, but we need to to better - and we can, together!

Recycling in connection to your home

Apartment buildnings usually have their own recycling station. It might say "soprum" or "miljöstuga" on its door. Make sure you put the right waste in the right bin by reading the sign for each bin.

If you are a homeowner you will be able to recycle your waste in direct connection to your home. From March 2025 to June 2025 Uppsala Vatten is working on swapping your old bins to new ones (fyrfackskärl). (Note that the website is in swedish)

What you can recycle:

• Municipal waste
• Food waste
• Glass (coloured and clear)
• Paper packaging
• Plastic packaging
• Metal packaging
• Magazines

Unstaffed recycling stations

Uppsala have around 20 unstaffed recycling stations where you can leave old packaging and magazines. It's free to leave your recycling here and they are always open. Find which is closest to you External link..

What you can recycle:

• Glass (coloured and clear)
• Paper packaging
• Plastic packaging
• Metal packaging
• Magazines

The packaging must be empty but not rinsed. It must be placed inside the containers, otherwise its concidering littering, which is illegal. If the container is full, come back another day.

Recycling centrals - For all types of waste

Waste that can't be recycled in connection to your home have to be brought to one of Uppsala's recycling centrals (återvinningscentral). Uppsala have eight recycling centrals, three of which are in the city External link.. The recycling centrals accept almost all types of waste and is staffed during its opening hours. (Note that the website is in swedish).

Examples of what you can leave at the recycling central:

• Batteries
• Light bulbs
• Broken furniture
• Broken electrical goods
• Cooking oil
• Paint
• Broke plates and drinking glasses
• Garden waste

Learn more on FTI's website (in english) External link.

What is "pant"?

The swedish recycling deposit system is based on having small deposits on bottles and cans, which you get back when you recycle them in a "pantmaskin". The machines are situated in almost every supermarket and you get back 1-2 kr on each recycled bottle. If you're unsure if a bottle can be "pantad", look for the "pant"-symbol (deposit mark). If it doesn't contain one, you should recycle them as instructed on the back.

Good to know:

The amount you get back och each recycled bottle or can might not seem much. But, if you collet them over a longer period, you can reach quite big amounts of returned deposits once you return them at the supermarket.

Read more about the recycling deposit system (in english) External link.