New legal requirements in 2024 and 2025 led to a sharp increase in the sorting of food waste and textiles for recycling, according to annual statistics from Avfall Sverige.
Between 2024 and 2025, 5.3 percent more packaging was recycled. This is likely because many municipalities have made it possible to sort waste close to homes. From the start of next year, everyone will have that opportunity.
"Collection close to the property makes it easier to do the right thing. It is a really effective method for reducing the number of garbage bags," says Jenny Westin, statistics expert at Avfall Sverige in a press release.
However, Sweden did not reach the EU's target of 55 percent material recycling by 2025. Just over 40 percent was recycled last year.
