New refuse bins and property-proximal collection: What applies to you in Stockholm?
- As of January 1, 2027, property-proximal collection of packaging must be introduced for residents in Stockholm. This means you should be able to leave plastic, paper, glass, and metal packaging in connection with your residence. 1
- Already today, approximately 67 percent of all apartment households in Stockholm have such collection through agreements signed by the property owner with approved waste contractors. 1
- For single-family homes, the waste committee decided on 2024-06-13 on a solution with near-sorted waste in two-compartment bins. For multi-dwelling buildings, the system entails taking over the previously market-driven system for packaging collection, where affiliated contractors can offer different container types and collection frequencies. 1
- If the property cannot arrange collection directly at the residence, it is possible to agree on an alternative location in close proximity, such as a recycling station. This applies if the property has a lack of space (indoors or outdoors), unreasonable economic burden, or is culturally and historically classified. 1 2 3
What the city has decided
- The government has decided that property-proximal collection of packaging must be introduced by January 1, 2027, at the latest. This applies to plastic, paper, glass, and metal packaging. 1
- Municipalities are responsible for the collection of packaging waste from households. In Stockholm, Stockholm Vatten och Avfall (SVOA) manages this. 1
- For one- and two-dwelling houses, a solution with near-sorted waste in two-compartment bins was decided by the waste committee on 2024-06-13. 1
- For multi-dwelling buildings, the system solution consists of a service concession, which was decided in case 23SVOA638. This means that collection contractors are free to offer different container types and collection frequencies. 1
- Criteria for alternative solutions have been developed and decided in early March 2026. These imply that collection can take place at another location (e.g., existing recycling stations) if the property has a lack of space (indoors or outdoors), unreasonable economic burden, or is culturally and historically classified. 1 2
- The Environmental and Health Protection Committee approved the administration's response on 2026-05-19 that general exemptions are not possible, but that SVOA has developed criteria for alternative solutions. 1
What remains uncertain
- It is not possible for the municipality to apply for a dispensation from the requirement for property-proximal collection. Individual properties also cannot apply for a dispensation from the requirement for property-proximal collection, but under certain conditions can collect waste at a location in close proximity to the property, however, no more than 400 meters from the property boundary. 1 2
- Politicians express concern that the new rules could lead to impaired accessibility, negative impact on the urban environment, increased costs, and practical conflicts if they are not adapted to Stockholm's unique conditions. 1 2
- The Environmental and Health Protection Committee will continue to follow the implementation closely, especially how the criteria for alternative solutions are applied and that information to property owners is sufficient, as there is concern that the solutions may not work in practice. 1
Why is this happening?
The new rules stem from a government decision from 2022 and aim to increase the recycling of packaging by making it easier to sort correctly. The goal is to reduce the amount of recyclable material in residual waste, which provides environmental benefits and potentially lower costs for refuse collection. 1
What happens next?
Property owners are responsible for introducing property-proximal collection by January 1, 2027, at the latest. Stockholm Vatten och Avfall provides information and advice on how to get started, apply for grants, and design environmental rooms. 1
How the issue has been handled
Agenda items tracked by Kortfattat since 2026, in chronological order.
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2026-03-26Agenda · Stockholm Avfall AB
New waste bins in Stockholm: how property-close collection will work
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall has responded to questions from Anna Cederschiöld (M) and Inga Osbjer (L) regarding the implementation of new property-adjacent packaging waste collection in Stockholm. The company explained that they have investigated various systems, including two-compartment bins for single-family homes and existing contractors for apartment buildings, acknowledging the challenges of implementing comprehensive property-adjacent collection in the city's dense urban environment. They clarified that the municipality cannot apply for exemptions from the property-adjacent collection requirement, but exceptions exist allowing waste collection at a nearby location if obstacles are present, with criteria being developed for agreements on alternative collection points. Politicians are concerned that the new legislation, if not adapted to Stockholm's unique conditions, may lead to reduced accessibility and increased costs.
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2026-05-19Minutes · Miljö- och hälsoskyddsnämnden
Waste Collection Solutions for Older Inner-City Buildings
The Environmental and Health Protection Committee approved the administration's response regarding property-proximal waste collection in older inner-city properties. The response clarified that general exemptions cannot be mandated, but Stockholm Vatten och Avfall (SVOA) has established criteria for alternative solutions in cases of limited space, unreasonable economic burden, or historical classification. The committee will continue to closely monitor the implementation, particularly the application of these criteria and the sufficiency of information provided to property owners.
Check the information
- Packaging collection – Stockholm Water and Waste Checked 2026-07-19