Daily life · Sweden
Environment
Green Sweden — how to live it
Recycling
Recycling (Källsortering)
Sweden recycles nearly everything. Sorting waste is mandatory and recycling stations are within walking distance of most homes.
- Recycling rate
- Over 99% of household waste recycled or energy-recovered
- Miljöstation
- Recycling stations in every neighbourhood
- Pant (deposit)
- SEK 1–2 per can/bottle — return at any store
- Categories
- 7+ types: paper, plastic, glass, metal, food, electronics, hazardous
- App
- FTI (Förpacknings- och Tidningsinsamlingen)
- Learn your building's sorting system (ask your landlord)
- Separate food waste (matavfall) into paper bags provided by the municipality
- Take packaging to the nearest FTI recycling station
- Return cans and bottles to any supermarket for pant refund
- Book bulky waste collection through your municipality
Official sources
Allemansrätten
Right of Public Access
Allemansrätten (Right of Public Access) is a uniquely Swedish freedom — you can walk, camp, and forage almost anywhere in nature.
- Right to roam
- Walk, ski, cycle on any land (except gardens)
- Wild camping
- 1–2 nights anywhere (except near houses)
- Foraging
- Pick berries, mushrooms, and flowers freely
- Restrictions
- No fire on bare rock, no damage to property
- Enshrined in
- Swedish Constitution (Grundlagen)
- Explore Sweden's nature trails freely — no permission needed
- Camp for 1–2 nights at a respectful distance from homes
- Pick berries and mushrooms (except protected species)
- Leave no trace — take all rubbish with you
- Follow fire safety rules (check fire ban status at krisinformation.se)
Get Sweden alerts and news in your language
NewsWave carries official Sweden emergency alerts and trusted local news, translated into your language. All 40 expat guides are in the app, offline.