Guide
Legal requirements for waste sorting 2025–2027
This guide concerns Swedish laws and regulations, not Danish or Norwegian requirements.
Everything property owners and housing cooperatives need to know about property-proximate collection: timeline, fractions, building permits, sizing, and a checklist to work from.
This is what the law says
Through amendments to the Waste Ordinance, municipalities in 2024 took over responsibility for the collection of packaging waste from producers. The next step is for collection to take place property-proximate: by January 1, 2027 at the latest, residents in multi-family buildings must be able to leave their packaging at or in direct connection to the property.
In practice, this means that every property needs an approved waste sorting solution – a bin enclosure, a waste room, or a combination – that accommodates all fractions, is accessible to residents, and reachable for collection vehicles. The municipality's waste regulations determine the details, and they differ across the country.
Timeline 2024–2027
Municipalities take over collection responsibility
The responsibility for packaging waste collection was moved from producers to the municipalities. Property owners began receiving notices regarding upcoming requirements for curbside/near-property collection.
Expansion and planning
Municipalities are expanding collection systems and many are introducing requirements gradually. This is the time for housing cooperatives and property owners to plan, budget, and apply for building permits.
Ordering and installation
Delivery lead times and building permit processes mean that orders should be placed by 2026 at the latest to ensure installation is completed in time.
Curbside collection becomes mandatory
From January 1, 2027, residents in multi-family housing must be able to sort packaging at or in close proximity to the property.
Fractions to be sorted
Paper packaging
Large volume – often requires the most bins or more frequent emptying.
Plastic packaging
Bulky fraction, plan for extra bin space.
Metal packaging
Low volume but a mandatory fraction.
Colored glass
Heavy – place near the access area for collection.
Clear glass
Must be kept separate from colored glass.
Matavfall
Requires ventilation and a tight, cleanable construction.
Restavfall
Dimensioned according to the number of households and collection frequency.
Newspapers and recycled paper
Collected close to the property in most municipalities.
Building permits and regulations
A waste room is normally counted as a building and requires a building permit according to the Planning and Building Act. Free-standing bin enclosures are exempt from building permits in many municipalities, but size, placement, and the detailed development plan can change the assessment.
Allow for processing time with the building committee and prepare site plans, facade drawings, and floor plans well in advance. Compfence provides drawing documentation for our solutions that can be used directly in the building permit application.
Dimensioning and placement
Bin capacity needs are determined by the number of households, collection intervals, and waste fractions. The placement should ensure short walking distances for residents, a paved and level path for collection, and sufficient fire safety distance to the facade.
Also consider lighting, ventilation for food waste, and accessibility according to BBR – doors and handles must be usable by all residents.
Checklist for property owners and housing cooperatives
- 1
Check the municipality's waste regulations – requirements differ between municipalities.
- 2
Count the number of households and calculate bin requirements per fraction and collection frequency.
- 3
Check access routes, ground slope, and clearance height for collection vehicles.
- 4
Investigate planning permission requirements early – waste rooms usually require permission, bin enclosures often do not.
- 5
Ensure fire safety distances to the facade in accordance with emergency service guidelines.
- 6
Plan for lighting, ventilation, and accessibility according to BBR.
- 7
Budget within the association's maintenance plan and secure approval at the annual general meeting.
- 8
Order well in advance – utility and planning permission lead times dictate the completion date.
Frequently asked questions
When does near-property collection become mandatory?
From 1 January 2027, residents in multi-family housing must be able to sort packaging near the property. Many municipalities are introducing these requirements gradually starting as early as 2025.
Which waste fractions are covered by the requirements?
Paper packaging, plastic packaging, metal packaging, colored and clear glass, and newspapers. In addition, food waste and residual waste according to the municipality's waste regulations.
Is planning permission required for bin enclosures and waste rooms?
Waste rooms normally require planning permission as they are classified as buildings. Freestanding bin enclosures under a certain size are often exempt, but rules vary between municipalities – always check with the building committee.
Who is responsible for ensuring compliance?
The property owner or housing cooperative is responsible for ensuring that the waste sorting solution complies with municipal waste regulations and national legislation.
How many bins are needed?
The requirement is determined by the number of households, collection frequency, and fractions. A rule of thumb for smaller cooperatives is one 370-litre bin per fraction for approximately 20 households with bi-weekly collection – but municipal guidelines apply.
How does Compfence help?
Compfence delivers turnkey bin enclosures and waste management sheds in maintenance-free composite – from needs analysis and planning documentation for building permits to on-site installation.