Waste management

plan for Stockholm

2017–2020

Together for the world's

most sustainable city
 Foreword
The waste management plan for Stockholm 2017−2020 sets the
agenda for the development and organisation of waste management in
Stockholm over the next four years. The management of waste needs to
be tailored for a city that is growing in size and density. It needs to be
arranged with the good of the residents of Stockholm and the environ-
ment foremost.

Stockholm's waste management should focus on climate smart choices

and efficient logistics. Areas for waste management need to be integrated
and shared with other activities where new housing, business premises,
schools and roads are being built. Waste systems are to be secure, safe
and accessible, at the same time as they encourage reuse and recovery.

The EU waste hierarchy forms the point of departure for the waste
management plan. Compared with the past there will be more of a focus
on preventing the production of waste and promoting reuse. Waste that
is produced is to be recovered in the best possible manner; increased
food waste collection is one of the main objectives of the waste plan for
example. The waste management plan also addresses objectives and
action to counter litter in the urban environment,in the city's bodies of
water and on its shoreline.

The waste management plan affects everyone who lives and works in
Stockholm. We can all help in our own way to make waste management
in the city work in the best possible fashion. Communication and coop-
eration initiatives can create the conditions needed for the commitment
and effort required to fulfil the objectives of the waste management plan.

Krister Schultz
Managing Director

2 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

The three parts of the municipal
waste management regulation
The waste management regulation for the City The regulations contain local provisions on the
of Stockholm is divided into three publications: collection and handling of household and similar
waste, lines of responsibility, collection intervals,
• The Waste management plan for Stockholm
equipment and so on. Provisions regarding the
2017–2020
review of exemptions to the regulations are also
• Annexes to the Waste management plan for set out here.
Stockholm 2017–2020
These publications can be easily downloaded or
• Regulations for waste management for the
printed from www.svoa.se/renhallningsordning
City of Stockholm

The waste management plan details the state of

waste management in Stockholm today along
with plans for the future. Objectives, subsidiary
objectives and the actions needed are also set
out. The annexes contain background information
about the waste management plan.

The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 3

Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................7
Overview..............................................................................................................................8
Our challenges......................................................................................................................8

Objectives and ambitions.................................................................................................9

Preparation and implementation...............................................................................................9
Follow-up and status review.....................................................................................................9
The consequences of the implementation of the waste management plan.....................................10

An in-depth look at certain areas..................................................................................10

The future development of waste streams.................................................................................10
Incentives and infrastructure...................................................................................................12
The collection of packaging and newsprint/recyclable paper....................................................13
The prevention of waste........................................................................................................14
Communication....................................................................................................................15

Objective 1
Waste from those who live and work in the city is to decrease,
and the waste that is produced is to be dealt with in a resource-efficient manner..............................17
Description..........................................................................................................................18
Vision for 2040...................................................................................................................18

Subsidiary objectives for the period of the plan........................................................19

1.1  City residents and businesses must know how to reduce the amount of waste they produce....19
1.2  Waste is to be prevented and a greater proportion of products
and materials are to be reused..............................................................................................20
1.3  More material is to be separated for recovery...................................................................20
1.4  The prevention, reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste is to increase.........21
1.5  The amount of textile in household waste is to be reduced..................................................22
1.6  At least 70% of food waste is to be collected for anaerobic digestion
for biogas production and nutrient recovery............................................................................23
1.7  At least 40% of the phosphorus in wastewater
is to be collected and returned to arable land as fertiliser..........................................................24
1.8  Littering in the urban environment is to decrease................................................................25
1.9  The occurrence of litter in the marine environment is to be reduced......................................26
Objective 2
Waste that could be harmful to humans or the environment is to be prevented and managed safely......29
Description..........................................................................................................................30
Vision for 2040...................................................................................................................30

Subsidiary objectives for the period of the plan........................................................31

2.1  City residents are to be made more aware of what constitutes hazardous waste
and where to dispose of it.....................................................................................................31
2.2  The proportion of hazardous waste and waste from electrical and electronic
equipment in the household rubbish bag is to be less than 0.3% with a downward trend..............32
2.3  Hazardous construction and demolition waste is to be managed properly............................33

Objective 3
Waste management is to be adapted for people..........................................................................35
Description..........................................................................................................................36
Vision for 2040...................................................................................................................36

Subsidiary objectives for the period of the plan........................................................37

3.1  Communication is to increase awareness and motivation with regard to waste management..37
3.2  Waste management systems are to be straightforward, accessible and secure......................37
3.3  Waste management systems are to provide a good work environment.................................38
3.4  It must be easier to dispose of waste for reuse and recycling without a car...........................39

Objective 4
Waste management is to be a natural part of the city's physical planning.......................................41
Description..........................................................................................................................42
Vision for 2040...................................................................................................................43

Subsidiary objectives for the period of the plan........................................................43

4.1  Waste issues are to be taken into account at the initial planning stages
of new construction and refurbishment....................................................................................43
4.2  To deal with increasing urban density, end-to-end solutions,
covering both the new and existing built environment, are to be considered................................44
4.3  It must be possible to use land in the city for waste-related activities.....................................44
4.4  Increased account is to be taken of the surrounding environment in the collection of waste.....45
4.5  New technical solutions are to be tested and the development of collection
and handling systems is to continue........................................................................................46

Glossary and definitions.................................................................................................48

List of annexes...................................................................................................................50
Introduction

The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 7

Overview
Waste management is an important part of society’s
infrastructure and involves and affects many people.
The Environmental Code therefore requires all munici-
palities to have a waste management plan, covering
all waste - both the waste the municipality is responsible
for and other types of waste. The waste management
plan must describe the long-term objectives and meas-
ures planned by the municipality to reduce the volume
and hazard inherent in waste, and to provide informa-
tion about all waste generated in the municipality.
The waste management plan makes up one part of
the municipal waste management regulations while
the other part consists of the provisions. The two
parts of the plan may be updated at different times.
The purpose of the waste management plan is to
have a strategy for the work of the City of Stockholm
and other actors working with waste – in planning
new areas, reviewing building permits and super-
vising environmentally hazardous activities, as well
as determining how residents, businesses and other
organisations should manage their waste.
The plan focuses on household waste, in other words
waste arising in households and similar waste from
businesses. But it also contains objectives relating to
other waste.

Our challenges
Stockholm is one of the five fastest growing regions Waste management is governed and steered by
in Europe. More and more people are choosing legislation, planning and strategy at the local, re-
to move to Stockholm at the same time as we are gional, national and EU level. These are detailed
living longer and more children are being born. This in Annex 7. Any changes to waste management
places considerable demands on clear and long-term legislation may have an impact on the waste
approaches to the planning of waste management management plan. Above all if responsibility for the
and other infrastructure. In 2020 the City of Stockholm collection of packaging and newsprint changes.
is expected to have just over one million inhabitants.
The steadily growing population means an increase in
the requirement for adequate space in which to han-
dle waste from households and businesses; including
household waste, bulky waste, hazardous waste and

500
packaging. The rise in population and density of the
city also lead to greater competition for available land
and increased traffic levels.
kg waste thrown
The volume of waste generated is expected to rise
away per person
with the population. At the start of the 20th century
every year
Swedes threw away an average of 25–30 kg waste
per year; today that figure has risen to 500 kg.
Reducing this volume of waste and providing acces-
sible, environmentally sound and cost-effective waste
management along with a good work environment
poses a major challenge.

8 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

Objectives and ambitions
The waste management plan contains four primary
objectives. A vision for 2040 is presented under
each objective. These visions aim to achieve the
long-term objectives in Vision 2040 - A Stockholm
for Everyone.
Preparation and implementation
The waste management plan for 2017–2020 is
largely a revision of the previous plan. The four pri-
mary objectives remain in place, albeit with slightly
reworked text. In the process of drawing up objectives
and guidelines for the waste management plan, a
dialogue has been held with the public administrative
bodies and companies that expressed an interest in
taking part at an early stage. The proposal was then
published so that all parties affected by the waste man-
agement plan could submit their comments. Relevant
views were then incorporated into the final document.
The regulations of the Swedish Environmental
Protection Agency governing the content of a waste
management plan were followed in the work prepar-
ing the plan. The applicable Swedish Environmental
Protection Agency regulations were under revision
during the same period as the waste management
plan was being drawn up. Because of this Stockholm
Vatten och Avfall has tried to include items in the
waste management plan that may apply in the future.
An environmental assessment of the waste management
plan has been undertaken according to the Swedish
Follow-up and status review
To assess how well the objectives of the waste man-
agement plan will be fulfilled, continuous follow-up is
necessary. In this way it is also possible to see at an
early stage whether there is a need for greater re-
sources or a different approach in a particular area.
Under each subsidiary objective there is a brief
description of who is responsible for follow-up, and
which key indicators are to be followed up. Most key
indicators are not quantified. This may be due to the
The four primary objectives have been broken down
into more detailed subsidiary objectives for the plan
period, 2017–2020. Actions are associated with
the subsidiary objectives; their purpose is to help in
meeting the objectives. The objectives are linked to
the Stockholm Environment Programme 2016–2019.
Environmental Code Chapter 6, Sections 11–18, and
a social impact assessment of the waste management
plan has been carried out in the context of looking
forward to the city's Vision 2040 – A Stockholm for
Everyone. The social impact assessment is intended
for use as a basis for continued work on the subsidiary
objectives closer to the city's residents.
The City of Stockholm's environment programme and
waste management plan are heading in the same
direction. Actions that are the same in both documents
are marked (the environment programme).
The Stockholm Board of Waste is responsible for
drawing up the waste management plan. The subsidi-
ary objectives detail what Stockholm Vatten och Avfall
will do to fulfil them. In some cases what the Traffic
Administration Office and City District Administrations
will do is also detailed. Where other public bodies
and companies have jurisdiction it is important that
the subsidiary objectives be incorporated into each
operational plan and followed up in annual reports.
city not being able to control the outcome, or because
a description and analysis of the degree to which the
objective will be achieved or not provides a better
picture. Some of the subsidiary objectives are followed
up in the city's integrated management system, ILS,
and will also be shown in the environmental barometer
on the city's website. Stockholm Vatten och Avfall has
overall responsibility for the follow-up of the waste
management plan. An in-depth status review will be
carried out halfway through the period of the plan.
The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 9
The consequences of the implementation
of the waste management plan
The waste management plan is to contribute to a
positive development for those who live and work
in the city and for its environment. The plan’s envi-
ronmental impact assessment (Annex 8) assesses
its effect on the environment compared to a zero
alternative. Some of the measures proposed in the
plan may mean increased costs, both for the City of
Stockholm, property owners and other stakeholders.
However, these increases should be compared to the
costs arising in the absence of planning and control,
from the perspective of the individual and society.

An in-depth look at
certain areas
The future development of waste streams
Development of volumes
Based on the waste volumes and population growth
in the period 2006 to 2015 a forecast of the total
volume of waste from households in the city has
been made for the years 2020 and 2026. The total
volume of waste from households is predicted to in-
crease to 460,000 tonnes in 2020 and to just over
480,000 tonnes in 2026. However, the volume
of waste per resident is calculated to decrease to
452 kg in 2020 and 424 kg in 2026.

Table 1. Development – collected volume of waste, tonnes per annum

2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2015 2020 2026

Residual waste 235,205 234,112 234,074 234,518 230,569 229,348 188,774 200,597
Food waste 2,925 3,192 6,409 9,953 14,495 16,019 66,677 67,503
Bulky waste 134,096 149,589 141,219 130,938 145,827 137,036 143,391 151,406
Packaging material 74,981 75,357 71,188 65,147 60,776 58,154 60,851 64,252
Total amount 447,207 462,250 452,890 440,556 451,667 440,557 459,692 483,759

Inhabitants 782,885 810,120 847,043 881,235 911,989 923,516 1,016,142 1,139,637

kg/inhabitant 571 571 535 500 495 477 452 424

10 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

Residual waste
Over the past ten years the volume of residual waste
has been relatively constant, 230,000 tonnes a
year, despite the increase in population. This can
be assumed to be the result of factors such as the
increased separation of packaging material, news-
print and food waste. The increased separation of
food waste is expected to lead to a reduction in the
volume of residual waste.

Food waste
From now until 2026 a sharp increase in the volume
of food waste going to biological processing is
planned. The city's target is for 70% of the available
food waste to be collected by 2020; this corre-
sponds to just over 66,000 tonnes.

Bulky waste
The city's target is to increase the collection of sepa-
rated bulky waste. Today almost 30 different types of
waste are collected and within ten years this could
be up to 35 waste fractions.

As a total the amount of bulky waste collected at

recycling centres and by waste collection contractors
has increased somewhat, from 134,000 tonnes in
2006 to 137,000 tonnes in 2015. Changes in the
types of waste received by the recycling centres can
affect the volumes.

The city has no entry control system at the recycling

centres. So the volume of waste includes some waste
from the residents of neighbouring municipalities.
Using some sort of future offset system between the
municipalities in the region will probably reduce the
city's volume of bulky waste.

Packaging material and newsprint

The total amount of packaging material and news-
print is decreasing. The trend is for the volume of
newsprint to decrease as newspapers transition to
digital media. However, the volume of separated
packaging is increasing.
Incentives and infrastructure
Technological development, higher levels of ambition
and changes to regulations are some of the driving
forces behind the change in waste management
over time. The levels of work environment and envi-
ronmental requirements are constantly being raised
in society as a whole, and it is natural that waste
management follows this trend, and in some cases
leads it. Technical and organisational conditions
need to be reviewed continuously to adapt them
to political objectives and to changing lifestyles in
society as a whole. At the same time the complexity
of waste management and its close association with
the building and urban planning processes means
that continuity and long-termism are required in the
initiatives taken in the area. The central role of waste
management in the city's overall environmental activ-
ities also means a responsibility and a platform from
which to inform those who live and work in the city
how they can reduce their environmental impact.
Fees
The design of the city's waste fees allows activities
to be steered in the desired direction. Historically
Stockholm has done a lot of work on designing the
fees to disincentivise systems with a poor work envi-
ronment and encourage environmentally sound and
resource-efficient waste management. Examples of
this include sharply increased fees for certain types of
heavy collection requiring a lot of manual work such
as compressed waste in bins and sacks, the introduc-
tion of a weight charge and various forms of stimulus
to promote food waste collection. The stated political
will is for the city to continue to actively work with fees
that steer the work environment and environment.
Infrastructure
The city's infrastructure and waste management
systems are continuously developing, some gradually
and in the long-term, while others can have more
immediate causes and effects. Below are listed a
number of developments that have been decided,
are planned or are being examined.
Biochar
A pilot plant for the production of biochar was built
in 2016/2017. Biochar will be manufactured
through the pyrolysis of residents' garden waste and
12 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020
used in the city's plant beds and in gardens as an
effective soil conditioner. Surplus energy from the
manufacturing process in the form of gas will be used
in district heating production. In this way carbon
dioxide is being captured in an urban carbon sink,
at the same time as the conditions for the growth
of the city's trees and plants are improved and a
climate positive surplus for district heating is created.
Sorting facility, pre-treatment
and anaerobic digestion
To achieve the city's target of collecting 70% of
available food waste by 2020 Stockholm Vatten
och Avfall plans to build a sorting facility to separate
food waste from the households in the city where
the separate collection of food waste is not possible
for various reasons. For the most part this applies
to blocks of flats in the inner city. It is planned that
the facility will be located next to the Fortum cogen-
eration plant in Högdalen. In 2016 the preliminary
design of the facility was started. The potential to
separate packaging fractions (plastics, paper, metal
and newsprint) is also being studied.
The separated food waste will be pre-treated and
sent for anaerobic digestion. Biogas will be pro-
duced and the digestate will be used as biofertiliser.
Whatever cannot be sent for anaerobic digestion
goes to incineration and becomes energy. Food
waste from household waste disposal units goes
directly to anaerobic digestion plants. An inventory
is being made of the region's existing and planned
capacity for the pre-treatment and anaerobic diges-
tion of the city's food waste. Studies are also being
undertaken into designing our own facility.
Resource-efficient and flexible systems
In the city's environmental profile district, Norra
Djurgårdsstaden, large-scale mechanical systems
combined with kerbside solutions are being planned
and implemented. This allows for systems that are
as comprehensive and resource-efficient as possible
with a good work environment and good accessi-
bility. A stationary vacuum waste collection system
is being built with three refuse chutes, and at a later
stage with a built-in recording and weighing system
so that it can be utilised optimally. Currently residual
waste, plastic packaging and newsprint are handled
in each refuse chute respectively, but in the future one
of the refuse chutes could take several packaging
fractions in different coloured or marked bags. The
fractions not suitable for collection by way of vacuum
collection will be handled in source separation areas
close to the property. Food waste collection through
kitchen waste disposal units connected to tanks and
continued studies and possible trials of separating
sewerage systems, are planned for the future.
Responsibility and ownership structures
The question of whether the City of Stockholm should
be the body responsible for vacuum waste collec-
tion facilities has been germane for a number of
years; mainly because of the attention attracted by
The collection of packaging
and newsprint/recyclable paper
Current status
At present in Stockholm the approximately 250 re-
cycling stations dominate as collection systems for
packaging and newsprint/recyclable paper. It is also
estimated that on average 30% of metal, plastic and
paper packaging is collected by traditional kerbside
collection, the majority from public housing. In the en-
vironmental profile areas and in certain development
areas there are already collection models in place (or
planned) that are based on vacuum waste collection
systems for some fractions and recycling rooms or the
equivalent for the collection of the other waste.
The proportion of packaging and newsprint/recycla-
ble paper in the household rubbish bag is still great;
30% for households without food waste collection and
17% for houses and the residents of blocks of flats with
collection in bins and that have food waste collection.
Collaboration is underway between Stockholm
Vatten och Avfall, the Traffic Administration Office
and the Environment and Health Protection Adminis-
tration to draw up a programme for waste manage-
ment in public spaces. This includes separation at
source in parks, using the popup concept for reuse,
which also encompasses the collection of packaging
and newsprint/recyclable paper.
The planned sorting facility in Högdalen is primarily
for food waste from blocks of flats in the inner city;
the difficulties experienced by the City Development
Administration, developers and property companies
in the development of large and complex joint facili-
ties and consortia for the construction of the vacuum
waste collection facility in Norra Djurgårdsstaden.
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall has been commissioned
to study the issue in more detail with the aim of let-
ting the city, through Stockholm Vatten och Avfall,
take greater responsibility for the construction of new
vacuum waste collection systems as well as existing
systems where there has been a requirement for a
stationary vacuum waste collection system included in
the detailed development plan. A similar approach to
that of vacuum waste collection systems can also be
expected in the construction of large kitchen waste
disposal to tank systems for food waste collection.
but the potential for the separation of packaging
is also being studied.
The future
In 2015 the government decided to transfer the
responsibility for collecting packaging and newsprint/
recyclable paper to the municipalities. It was proposed
that ownership of the material and liability for recovery
remained with the producers. However, a majority in
parliament were uncertain about this development and
so no change in responsibility has taken place.
The transfer of the collection responsibility to the mu-
nicipalities has the potential to result in a more easily
accessible, transparent and coherent collection
system than the current one, which should provide
higher quality and a greater inflow of material. This
would mean greater opportunities for the municipality
30%
of the contents of the
household rubbish bag
will consist of packaging
and newsprint in house-
holds that do not yet have
food waste collection
The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 13
to jointly plan all waste management and increase
the kerbside collection of packaging and newsprint/
recyclable paper. Irrespective of where the respon-
sibility for a future collection system will lie, there is
great potential to improve management and systems
through various forms of cooperation between munic-
ipalities and producers.
Most realistic would be a number of locally tailored
solutions for the collection of packaging and news-
print/recyclable paper. And at the individual prop-
erty level different solutions are also needed. The
main emphasis is on the prioritisation of mechanical
systems. Kerbside collection in bins (or the equiva-
lent) is used in locations where mechanical systems
would not work. Vacuum waste collection systems
can be adapted for the collection of packaging and
newsprint/recyclable paper, and with optical sorting
(collection in different coloured or marked bags) a
number of collection systems can be used. The further
development of mobile systems is also conceivable;
particularly when account is taken of the competition
for the shrinking volume of available public space.
A combination of information and easily accessible
collection systems will prevent the production of pack-
aging waste and newsprint/recyclable paper and
promote increased separation, reuse and recycling.

The prevention of waste

Simply put the prevention of waste means reducing who visit it. Over the next few years more facilities of
the volume and inherent hazard of waste. Making this type are planned in the municipality. Both in the
it more straightforward for Stockholm residents to inner city and in the suburbs.
dispose of material, products and objects they no
In 2016 mobile reuse facilities were opened in
longer need in their households, makes it easier
locations where a lot of people pass through and
and more achievable for Stockholm Vatten och
where visitors have no need of a car. In future years
Avfall, in partnership with charity organisations and
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall will continue to develop
businesses, to prevent the production of waste in the
mobile systems that can contribute to the prevention
municipality in various ways.
of waste.
Collection and reuse in the municipality's
collection system The future
In 2016 Stockholm Vatten och Avfall studied how
In partnership with a number of actors, both private
the collection structure could further improve the
and charity organisations, the potential to dispose of
potential for those who live and work in Stockholm
products at the city's recycling centres has increased
to prevent waste. This is being planned through new
significantly in the past five years. Now residents
physical locations where material and products can
in Stockholm can dispose of things such as furni-
be reused, repurposed, mended and, if necessary,
ture, books, clothes, household items, cycles and
replaced. The study will largely form the basis of
sports equipment that they no longer need for reuse.
how waste management (mainly bulky waste) will
Collecting these products reduces the volume of
be procured during the period of this waste manage-
waste in the municipality.
ment plan.
New collection systems have also been introduced
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall is providing various
that facilitate the handover of products for reuse. For
types of information and undertaking communication
example in December 2015 Stockholm's first reuse
initiatives to increase the awareness of the city's
facility, the Roslagstull Reuse Centre in Vanadisberget
residents of the importance to the environment and
was opened. The new facility highlights for the
economy of conscious consumption. This applies to
visitor that even if they do not need something any-
food and food waste as well as other types of prod-
more there are others who do. The new facility has
uct and waste.
reduced the volume of waste significantly for those

14 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

Communication
The basis for all communication is to support the vision Stockholm Vatten och Avfall
of the City of Stockholm – A Stockholm for Everyone. Stockholm Vatten och Avfall bases its communication
The objective of communication linked to the waste about waste around partnership, message and
management plan is for Stockholm residents and education. In practice this will generate a number of
businesses to move upwards in the waste hierarchy. different communication initiatives tailored for sepa-
rate target groups.
The basis for all A priority over the next year is to communicate the
communication is to content of the waste management plan to the city's
support the vision of businesses so that together with the residents of
the City of Stockholm Stockholm we will be able to fulfil the plan's objec-
– A Stockholm for tives and the city's vision.
Everyone
Objective 1
Waste from those who
live and work in the city
is to decrease, and the
waste that is produced
is to be dealt with in a
resource-efficient manner
Description
The City of Stockholm is endeavouring to move incineration, biogas can be extracted and used
waste upwards in the EU waste hierarchy, commonly as vehicle fuel, replacing fossil fuels in buses,
known as the waste ladder, see Figure 1. refuse-collection vehicles and cars. In addition a
nutrient-rich digestate is obtained; this can be used
Resource management generally increases the fur-
as fertiliser on arable land replacing chemical fer-
ther one goes up the waste hierarchy. Reducing the
tilisers which use a lot of energy to produce and in
amount of waste is a major and important challenge
some cases are a finite resource. Food waste is an
in our environmental work. If this is not possible, the
important resource that, with separate collection and
waste should be re-used, recycled or recovered as
treatment, will contribute both to fulfilling the city's
energy. As a last option it goes to landfill.
ambitious climate objectives and to linking the nutri-
The amount of waste created in a society is gov- ent recovery cycle between town and country.
erned by many different factors and partly depends
The recycling step in the waste hierarchy also relates
on the state of the economy. The link between
to packaging and newsprint/recyclable paper.
economic growth and the increased generation
Improving opportunities for households to dispose
of waste needs to be broken. This is conditional on
of packaging and newsprint/recyclable paper for
resources being utilised more efficiently, patterns of
kerbside collection can contribute to better waste
consumption being changed and the life cycle of
separation. There are additional fractions in both
products being extended.
residual waste and bulky waste which could be
Today municipalities have few tools to directly influ- separated and recycled.
ence waste streams. However, within its own activi-
To enable an increase in the quantity of waste that
ties the City of Stockholm can play an important role
can be utilised there is a need for adequate treat-
in setting an example and reducing its own waste.
ment capacity in the region and a strong aftermarket
By collecting and treating food waste separately, for each type of waste.
instead of sending it with household waste for

Vision for 2040

Conscious production and consumption means the of trend towards increasing volumes. All waste should
generation of lower volumes of waste and a breaking be dealt with in the most resource-efficient manner.

PREVENTION
The volume of waste can be reduced by
conscious consumption. Think before you buy!

REUSE
Products can often be repaired or change hands
instead of being discarded. What do you do?

RECYCLING
Packaging, newsprint and other materials can be
recycled and made into new products. Food waste
can also be recycled making biogas or biofertiliser.
ENERGY RECOVERY
Combustible waste is recovered through
incineration to provide heat and electricity.
DISPOSAL
Waste that cannot be recovered
or reused.
Figure 1. EU waste hierarchy

18 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

Subsidiary objectives for
the period of the plan
1.1  City residents and businesses must know how
to reduce the amount of waste they produce
Description
To reduce the volume of waste in Stockholm action is
needed on many fronts. We need to think differently,
viewing our consumption from a wider perspective.
There is often money to be saved.
Actors
The public bodies and companies of the City of
Stockholm. Goods producers. Trade organisations.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Provide information about reuse and prevention
to those who live and work in the city (the envi-
ronment programme)
• Communicate the importance of reducing food
wastage
• Develop educational activities, through partner-
ships among other things
Examples of what other actors can do
• Information initiatives related to the reuse and
prevention of waste for both residents and
businesses
• A dialogue between stakeholders in the City of
Stockholm regarding how work on reuse and
prevention is to be implemented and developed
Follow-up and key indicators
User surveys and campaign metrics (Stockholm
Vatten och Avfall)
Volume per person and year (Stockholm Vatten
och Avfall's statistics)
Overall objective:
Less than 250 kg food
and residual waste per
person and year by the
end of 2020.
The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 19
1.2  Waste is to be prevented and a greater
proportion of products and materials are to be reused
Description
Often both the production of new goods and their
associated waste have a negative environmental
impact. In a circular economy the ecocycle approach
means that a product at the end of its life can be used
again in new production. This generates a smaller
volume of waste and creates new value. Conscious
production and consumption can make this possible.
Disposable materials should only be used if necessary.
The reuse of household waste is to increase, by
stimulating reuse and careful consideration before
scrapping products, and also through accessible
collection systems.
Actors
All waste holders and producers of goods and mate-
rials. The city has a responsibility to lead the way.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Steer the customers of recycling centres towards
reuse in the first instance
• Collaborate with actors that accept used
products to stimulate reuse
1.3  More material is to be separated for recovery
Description
Today most of household waste in Stockholm is
incinerated for energy recovery. While packaging
and newsprint is separated a large proportion still
ends up in the household rubbish bag or with bulky
waste. The objective is to increase the separation
of materials for which there are already rules and
systems (e.g. food waste, packaging and newsprint),
but also whether new fractions can be relevant in the
future in order to increase the resource efficiency in
waste management (textiles for example).
20 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020
• Continue with the differentiation of waste fees
in order to incentivise increased waste sepa-
ration and waste prevention (the environment
programme)
• Develop systems for accepting and managing
material for reuse
Examples of what other actors can do
• Create conditions for reuse
• When purchasing and procuring goods, mate-
rials and services plan to reduce the incidence
of waste; this applies to all actors especially the
city (the environment programme)
• In as far as it is possible products and equipment
no longer used are to be reused (the environment
programme)
Follow-up and key indicators
The number of subscribers paying a weight fee com-
pared to a volume fee (Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
Statistics of how much is handed over for reuse in the
city's collection systems (Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
Actors
The City of Stockholm, producers and property own-
ers create the necessary conditions. Waste holders
have a responsibility to separate and to use the col-
lection systems.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Study the feasibility of introducing the optical sort-
ing of fractions that have been separated at source
• Develop educational activities, through partner-
ships among other things
• Persuade city residents and businesses through
communication to recycle waste
 • Find new fractions that can be separated for
recycling
• Together with affected actors develop collection
systems for fractions that have been separated
at source
Examples of what other actors can do
• All of the city's galley kitchens where there is
packaging and newspapers are to have separa-
tion facilities (the environment programme)
• Reuse excavated material to avoid the extraction
of unused natural resources and reduce the need
to transport excavated material
1.4 The prevention, reuse and recycling of
construction and demolition waste is to increase
Description
One of the targets of the EU Directive on Waste is
for the reuse and recycling of non-hazardous con-
struction and demolition waste to be at least 70% in
2020. There is also great potential, through good
planning at building sites, to reduce the proportion
of materials that needs to be scrapped. There are
no aggregated statistics for this area.
Actors
Developers, contractors, property owners, the City
Planning Administration, Stockholm Environment and
Health Protection Administration, City Development
Administration, Traffic Administration Office, Property
Management Administration, etc.
Examples of what the City of Stockholm
and other actors can do
• Impose requirements on construction and
demolition contractors to recover material to
the greatest possible extent, at the same time
as waste that is hazardous and harmful to the
environment is dealt with properly
• Review the potential to reuse materials from
demolition and renovation
• Supervise the management of construction and
demolition waste
• Property owners should create separation facil-
ities for those who live and work in Stockholm
and provide information about these facilities
• Reduce the proportion of packaging and news-
print thrown away in the household rubbish bag
Follow-up and key indicators
Waste component analyses (Stockholm Vatten
och Avfall).
Environmental programme follow-up (ILS)
Volume statistics (Stockholm Vatten och Avfall,
City Development Administration)
• Increase the City of Stockholm's awareness by
making an inventory of the waste streams in se-
lected new construction and refurbishment projects
• Impose clear requirements regarding waste man-
agement in building and demolition permits, and
following up on compliance
• Endeavour to ensure effective management of
construction materials and construction waste in
new construction and refurbishment projects in
the city
• The waste material generated during construction
is to be minimised (the environment programme)
• Produce good, concrete examples to show how
the subsidiary objective can be achieved
Follow-up and key indicators
A description of how the work has been developed
to achieve the subsidiary objective (the Development
Administration, the Environment and Health Protec-
tion Administration, the City Planning Administration)
70%
of non-hazardous construction
and demolition waste is to be
reused or recycled by 2020
The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 21
1.5  The amount of textile in household waste is to
be reduced
Description
Textiles are a type of waste that up to now largely
mirrors unsustainable consumption. The Swedish
Environmental Protection Agency has found that
approximately eight kilos of clothes and household
textiles are thrown away per person and year1.
Actors
Households, Stockholm Vatten och Avfall, textile
producers.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Communicate to households how they can
reuse and recycle their textiles and how the
environment benefits from this
• Supply and develop systems for the reception,
reuse and recycling of textiles
• Collaborate with other actors in order to find
new business models
Examples of what the city can do
• The city is to promote textiles being dealt with
resource-efficiently (the environment programme)
Follow-up and key indicators
Waste component analyses (Stockholm Vatten
och Avfall)
Volume statistics; volumes collected by the city's
collection systems (Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)

1  Source: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency report

Swedish Consumption and the Global Environment, 2010

22 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

1.6  At least 70% of food waste is to be collected
for anaerobic digestion for biogas production and
nutrient recovery
Description
The city has raised its ambition regarding food
waste collection; this will require a number of
different measures if it is to be realised. A project unit
in Stockholm Vatten och Avfall is working exclusively
on the initiatives needed to meet the objective. The
work includes a great many of communication and
outreach activities. Waste fees are an important
policy instrument.
Actors
The City of Stockholm, restaurants and other
businesses, property owners and households.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Increase the awareness of city residents regard-
ing the significance of food wastage to the envi-
ronment and the economy
• Increase the awareness of city residents regard-
ing the significance of food waste collection
to the environment and the economy. In other
words the food waste that is generated anyway
should be collected and biologically processed
into biogas and biofertiliser
• Educate school kitchens, kindergarten kitchens
and municipal catering kitchens about the impor-
tance of preventing food wastage and how best
to deal with the food waste generated
• Follow the existing food waste collection strategy
• Introduce technical systems that allow the
collection of food waste from all of the city's
households. Optical sorting for example,
allowing food waste collection using existing
systems, even where the separate collection of
food waste is not possible
All of the city's
businesses are to
separate their food
waste and send it for
biological processing
Examples of what other actors can do
• The city's businesses should minimise their food
wastage (the environment programme)
• All of the city's businesses are to separate their
food waste and send it for biological processing
(the environment programme)
• Catered events are to have food waste collection
• Property owners and businesses are to introduce
food waste collection where this is possible
• Introduce the separation of food waste in public
spaces
• When planning the new build of housing and
municipal buildings include food waste collec-
tion - from kitchen to collection
Follow-up and key indicators
The volume of food waste collected (Stockholm
Vatten och Avfall)
The volume of food waste per person (Stockholm
Vatten och Avfall)
Waste component analyses (Stockholm Vatten
och Avfall)
The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 23
1.7  At least 40% of the phosphorus in wastewater is
to be collected and returned to arable land as fertiliser
Description
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's pro-
posed milestone reads:
• By 2018 at the latest at least 40% of the phos-
phorous and 10% of the nitrogen in wastewater
will be utilised and recycled as nutrients for
arable land without entailing exposure to pollut-
ants that pose the risk of harming people or the
environment.
However, this milestone has not yet been adopted.
In 2015 about 76,000 tonnes of sludge was
produced at the wastewater treatment plants of
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall. Of this 14,200 tonnes
from the Bromma wastewater treatment plant was
used on arable land. This corresponds to 19% of
total sludge production.
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall's ambition for sewage
sludge should at least be in line with the national
target. Our ability to meet this target depends on
the quality of the sludge, external requirements and
commercial factors. The ecocycle-based use of the
sludge necessitates very low levels of pollutants and
a general acceptance that the sludge will be utilised
on arable land, but there is interest from farmers.
One important waste-related measure to improve the
quality of the sludge is to act to ensure that waste
containing hazardous waste, such as pharmaceutical
residue, is handled properly.
In order to return sludge to arable land the sludge
must meet the requirements in the proposed sludge
regulation and the Revaq certification system. The
sludge contains only about seven percent of incom-
ing nitrogen. If ten percent of the nitrogen is to be
returned measures over and above slurry spreading
will be needed.
Actors
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall and farming organisa-
tions. In addition, households and businesses have a
responsibility for ensuring that hazardous substances
do not end up in wastewater.
24 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Continue with measures to improve sludge
quality, particularly with regard to cadmium,
silver and copper
• Continue the dialogue with farming
organisations and other stakeholders regarding
the use of sludge on arable land
• Set aside more sludge for use on arable land
• Study and potentially undertake trials on the
separate handling of sewage for separate
sludge digestion
• Continue work on the separate collection of
hazardous waste and pharmaceutical waste
• Study treatment methods allowing the extraction
of phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater
or sludge
More sludge
is to be set
aside for use
on arable
land
Examples of what other actors can do
• Increase the awareness of households and other
businesses regarding what can be put down
the drain
• Take measures in accordance with the Environ-
mental Protection Agency report on the sustaina-
ble recycling of phosphorous and examples from
the National Board of Housing Building and
Planning (Boverket) with regard to copper in tap
water systems
• Increase the potential for the storage of sludge
Follow-up and key indicators
The proportion of sludge spread on arable land
(Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
1.8  Littering in the urban environment is to decrease
Description
Apart from looking dismal, litter strewn areas can
create a feeling of insecurity. The City of Stockholm
has made active efforts to reduce litter in the streets,
squares, parks and green spaces. Remedial meas-
ures include expanding litter collection and changing
public attitudes and behaviour with regard to litter us-
ing campaigns and communication. New collection
systems are being tested and street cleaning takes
place when people can see it happening.
Actors
The Traffic Administration Office, City District Admin-
istrations, property owners and housing companies,
shopping centre owners and businesses, Stockholm
Transport (SL), the Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation,
event organisers and others. Households, visitors and
people who work in the city.
What will the Traffic Administration Office do
• Increase cleaning activities
• Clean more when people can see it happening
• Meet the city's cleaning guarantees that state
that cleaning, the emptying of litter bins and
the removal of graffiti is to take place within
24 hours of it being reported
• Carry out litter picking through the Stockholm
hosts organisation
• Offer litter picking work to young people in the
summer holidays
• Increase collaboration between affected parties
such as businesses, housing companies and
shopping centre owners
• Initiate new partnerships and initiatives for a
cleaner and more secure urban environment in
the small shopping centres in the suburbs
• Communicate the work of the office in keeping
the city clean and countering litter
 • Communicate the office's message that litter is the
joint responsibility of the individual and the city
• Replace existing litter bins with litter bins with
integrated ashtrays
• Provide the potential to separate waste at source
in public spaces
• Arrange annual Litter Picking Days together with
the Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation
• Use climate smart alternatives in waste management
• Draw up a programme for waste manage-
ment in the city's public spaces together with
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall and the Environment
and Health Protection Administration
What will the City District Administrations do
• Ensure that parks and green spaces in the city
are perceived as clean, well-tended, secure
and accessible
• Maintain a high standard in the district
playgrounds keeping them free of litter
• Help with the potential to separate waste at
source in public spaces
• Communicate the work involved in keeping the
districts clean and countering litter
• Use climate smart alternatives in waste management
1.9  The occurrence of litter in the marine
environment is to be reduced
Description
Marine litter is a major environmental problem and
Stockholm has a long shoreline along both the Baltic
and Lake Mälaren. Most of the marine litter comes
from land, and over half of it is plastic2. So the link
to the waste management plan's subsidiary objective
1.8 is clear. The city's measures to reduce littering
include expanding litter collection, and changing
public attitudes and behaviour with regard to litter
using campaigns and communication.
2  Source: Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation
26 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020
Examples of what other actors can do
• Households have a responsibility not to use the
city's public litter bins for household waste
• Everyone who lives in, visits or works in Stockholm
has a responsibility not to litter and to use litter
bins provided by the city and other actors
• Everyone who lives in, visits or works in Stockholm
is encouraged to report littering, full litter bins and
other problems in the urban environment using the
Tyck Till app or the City of Stockholm website
• Businesses such as property owners, shopping
centre owners, traders and others are encour-
aged to install ashtrays outside entrances and
staff entrances in order to reduce the number of
cigarette ends in the city's pavements
• Event organisers have a responsibility to clean
the event space and the area surrounding
it, even when the event extends over several
days. When the event is over the area must be
returned to its original condition
Follow-up and key indicators
Litter metrics (the Traffic Administration Office)
Citizen surveys (Stockholm Environment and Health
Protection Administration)
Urban environment surveys (City Executive Board)
Stockholms Hamn AB is carrying out a contract on
behalf of the Traffic Administration Office; this covers
the continuous cleaning of the waters and shoreline
of central Stockholm.
Over 50%
of marine litter is
plastic
Actors
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall, the Traffic Administration
Office, City District Administrations, Stockholms
Hamn AB, SL and event organisers etc.

What will the City of Stockholm do

• Make an inventory of the danger areas where
rubbish from land risks ending up in the sea and
take measures to prevent this from happening
• Identify sources of marine litter in order to take
preventive action
• Further develop the Traffic Administration
Office’s litter action plan
• Continue work on activities and communication
aimed at the public regarding attitudes to litter
• Develop partnerships between various actors

Examples of what other actors can do

• Everyone who lives in, visits or works in Stockholm
has a responsibility not to litter and to use litter
bins provided by the city and other actors

Follow-up and key indicators

Litter metrics gathered from land, water and shoreline
(the Traffic Administration Office and other actors)
Citizen surveys (Stockholm Environment and Health
Protection Administration)
Urban environment surveys (City Executive Board)
The volume of waste cleaned up from the city's
waters and shoreline (Stockholms Hamn AB)
Objective 2
Waste that could be
harmful to humans
or the environment is
to be prevented and
managed safely

The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 29

Description
In this case harmful waste means waste classified as
hazardous in the Waste Ordinance and other waste
that, based on its content or characteristics, may
cause harm to humans or the environment. Examples
include waste oil, leftover paint, waste from electrical
and electronic equipment, used batteries and phar-
maceutical waste.
To reduce the impact on human health and the environ-
ment and to prevent any interference with waste and
wastewater treatment, it is important to reduce the quan-
tity of hazardous waste generated and increase the pro-
portion collected and dealt with properly. When buying
chemicals and products avoid hazardous substances in
as far as it is possible. The City of Stockholm's Chemical
Action Plan 2014–2019 constitutes an important instru-
ment regarding work in this field.
To prevent the release of hazardous substances into
the environment, hazardous waste is to be separated
before any other waste is processed. For example,
hazardous substances can be released in smoke from
waste incineration, through leachates from landfill or
with wastewater and sludge from sewage treatment
plants. The proper separation of hazardous waste is
also essential for recycling other types of waste.
Important parameters for minimising the impact of
hazardous substances, as well as obtaining waste
that is suitable for recycling, are:
• Products with a low content of harmful substanc-
es, and products designed to make it easier to
deal with these substances separately when the
product is scrapped
• Knowledge and awareness among consumers of
what hazardous and harmful waste is, how it can
be avoided, and how it should be managed, as
well as the importance of taking responsibility for it
Vision for 2040
All waste containing substances harmful to people
or the environment is managed in separate waste
streams, and none of it ends up in the household rub-
bish bag or wastewater. Products have a minimum
amount of harmful substances and are designed to
make the separate management of these substanc-
30 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020
• Safe and easily accessible systems for the
collection of hazardous waste, from both
households and businesses
• Safe and reliable systems for the management
and final disposal of waste
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall is working purposefully
to improve the collection of hazardous waste from
households. Most of those living in single family
dwellings are satisfied with the potential to dispose
of hazardous waste, but almost 30% of those living
in blocks of flats are less than satisfied or not at all
satisfied. More work is needed.
Hazardous waste from businesses lies outside the
municipality's responsibility for collection. However,
small businesses may currently find it difficult to prop-
erly dispose of their hazardous waste.
Waste from electrical and electronic equipment is
one type of harmful waste. Waste from electrical
and electronic equipment is a producer responsibili-
ty; this means that the person who buys the item pays
a fee for its collection and treatment. The individual
disposing of waste is obliged to separate waste from
electrical and electronic equipment so that it can be
dealt with and recycled properly. One objective in
the national waste management plan is to increase
the collection of waste from electrical and electronic
equipment for recycling, particularly for small items.
Our use of electrical products has increased over the
years, and many products are superseded by new,
more up-to-date products before the old product has
reached the end of its useful life. Stockholm Vatten
och Avfall sees a somewhat reduced proportion of
waste from electrical and electronic equipment in the
household rubbish bag.
es easier the day the product becomes waste. The
awareness is high among private individuals and
businesses, and everyone takes responsibility for
managing hazardous and harmful waste properly.
The systems for the collection and reception of this
type of waste are well developed.
Subsidiary objectives for
the period of the plan
2.1  City residents are to be made more aware of what
constitutes hazardous waste and where to dispose of it
Description
To increase the proportion of hazardous and waste
from electrical and electronic equipment collected
and dealt with properly, it is important that the waste
holder is very aware of what hazardous waste is,
how to deal with it and where to dispose of it.
Actors
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall has overall responsibility
for hazardous household waste and communications
with regard to it. Waste from electrical and electron-
ic equipment is a producer responsibility and the
El-kretsen organisation is responsible for informing
households. Property owners are responsible for ten-
ants receiving information about how waste manage-
ment is dealt with in the property. Households have a
responsibility to keep themselves informed and take
responsibility for their hazardous waste.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Increase the awareness of the general public
and companies about what is classed hazard-
ous waste, how it is sorted and where it should
be handed in (the environment programme)
• Continuously communicate about what constitutes
hazardous waste and where it should be handed in
• Continuously communicate about what consti-
tutes waste from electrical and electronic equip-
ment and where it should be handed in
Examples of what other actors can do
• The city's businesses are to control what haz-
ardous waste is generated and ensure that its
handling, removal and disposal are carried out
properly (the environment programme)
2.2  The proportion of hazardous waste and waste
from electrical and electronic equipment in the
household rubbish bag is to be less than 0.3% with
a downward trend
Description
Waste component analyses show that relatively little
hazardous waste ends up in the household rubbish
bag, but it is important that it does not end up in
wastewater or elsewhere.
There is producer responsibility for waste from electri-
cal and electronic equipment, batteries and pharma-
ceutical products. The municipality is responsible for
other hazardous household waste. Businesses have
the responsibility to ensure their hazardous waste is
dealt with in a sound manner with regard to public
health and the environment.
Relatively little
hazardous
waste ends up
in the household
rubbish bag
32 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020
• Shops that accept waste from electrical and
electronic equipment should be clearer with
their customers about the ability of households to
hand that waste in at the shop
• Property owners are to inform their tenants about
where they can leave their hazardous waste
Follow-up and key indicators
User surveys and campaign metrics
(Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
Citizen surveys (Stockholm Environment and Health
Protection Administration)
Actors
The City of Stockholm, producers, businesses,
property owners and households.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Improve the ability of the city's residents to
dispose of their hazardous waste in one of the
city's systems (the environment programme)
• Continue to develop the collection of hazardous
waste and waste from electrical and electronic
equipment
Examples of what other actors can do
• Improve the ability of businesses to dispose
of small volumes of hazardous waste
Follow-up and key indicators
The proportion of hazardous waste and waste from
electrical and electronic equipment in the household
rubbish bag through waste component analyses
(Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
2.3 Hazardous construction and demolition waste
is to be managed properly
Description
According to waste statistics, the construction and
demolition sector generates significant quantities of
hazardous waste. This is also designated a priority
area in the national waste management plan.
Actors
Developers and contractors are responsible for the
hazardous waste arising from their activities.
The Stockholm Environment and Health Protection
Administration has regulatory responsibility and
it monitors and informs businesses about the
management of hazardous waste and waste from
electrical and electronic equipment.
Examples of what the City of Stockholm
and other actors can do
• Extend the collaboration between the city, devel-
opers and contractors to create the capacity to
separate hazardous waste
• Set clear requirements on the management of
hazardous waste in areas of new construction
within the city
• Set clear requirements on the management of haz-
ardous waste in building and demolition permits
• Highlight best practice
• Draw up collaborative procedures for the public
administrative bodies regarding demolition per-
mits and inspection
• Follow up compliance with the specified requirements
Follow-up and key indicators
A description of how the work has been developed
to achieve the subsidiary objective (Stockholm Vatten
och Avfall, the Environment & Health Protection
Administration)
The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 33
Objective 3
Waste management is to
be adapted for people

The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 35

Description
The waste management system is to work well for all
of the individuals involved. The entire management
chain is to be characterised by a good work, consid-
eration for the surrounding environment and for the
individuals disposing of waste; from when the waste
is generated by way of collection to final disposal
and treatment. The three elements addressed as part
of this objective are:
• Knowledge and understanding
• Accessibility and usability
• Work environment
Vision for 2040
The city has straightforward and easily accessible
systems for waste management, which encourage
reuse and recycling. Those who live and work in
the city and those who manage waste, are familiar
with the importance of proper management and feel
Everyone who lives and works in the city is responsi-
ble for making waste management work well at their
respective level. Stockholm Vatten och Avfall is respon-
sible for ensuring that the systems are understandable
and work comprehensively. For some types of waste,
the producers are responsible for the collection sys-
tems. Property owners are responsible for ensuring
that there is an effective and easily accessible waste
management system in their properties.
In as far as is reasonable account must be taken of
the fact that we are all different, and that special
requirements may exist.
responsible for their link in the chain. All collection
and management takes place safely and in a good
work environment. Waste management is integrated
with other stakeholders in the urban environment.
Subsidiary objectives for
the period of the plan
3.1  Communication is to increase awareness and
motivation with regard to waste management
Description
Communication is one of the fundamental require-
ments if the residents of Stockholm are to sort their
waste properly. Communication is to be accessible
and feedback is an important factor for motivation.
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall provides information
about the management of household waste as a
whole. Property owners are responsible for informing
their tenants about how waste is to be managed in
the property.
Actors
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall, property owners, the
City District Administrations, the Traffic Administration
Office.
Private individuals and businesses are responsible for
keeping themselves informed.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Draw up a communications strategy
• Communicate the waste management plan to all
stakeholders
3.2  Waste management systems are to be
straightforward, accessible and secure
Description
It should be easy to do the right thing. Waste disposal
and separation should be accessible for everyone,
regardless of their type of housing or particular needs.
• Communicate the objectives of the waste man-
agement plan to affected businesses in the city
• Analyse and communicate the results of waste
component analyses
• Draft measures and follow up waste component
analyses systematically
• Carry on periodic and targeted information cam-
paigns to households and businesses on relevant
themes
• Develop educational activities, including through
partnerships
• Draw up advice for property owners about how
they can provide information to their tenants
• Increase awareness of waste issues within the
city's public administrative bodies and companies
Examples of what other actors can do
• In partnership with Stockholm Vatten och Avfall
increase awareness of waste issues
Follow-up and key indicators
User surveys (Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
Waste component analyses (Stockholm Vatten
och Avfall)
Households should also have good access to dispos-
al facilities for bulky waste. Rooms for bulky waste in
blocks of flats help residents dispose of waste easily
even if they do not have a car.
The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 37
Waste disposal should be designed so that the
person disposing of the waste perceives the expe-
rience as safe and secure. This may, for example,
entail planning and selecting systems so as to avoid
transport in residential areas, or designing bins and
waste rooms to minimise the risk of accidents. Light
waste rooms in visible locations feel more secure.
These measures often also contribute to an improved
work environment for the personnel handling the
waste and lead to less litter around the bins.
Actors
City of Stockholm, developers and property owners.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Study the kerbside collection of fractions other
than food waste and residual waste for different
types of housing
• The city's recycling centres should handle all
recyclable material (the environment programme)
3.3  Waste management systems are to provide
a good work environment
Description
Waste management as an industry has long been
characterised by problematic working conditions. For
many years goal-oriented efforts have been made by
the parties to resolve this issue, and great progress
has been made. However, much remains to be
done to meet the current requirements of the Swedish
Work Environment Authority and to prepare for the
more stringent requirements that are expected in the
future. To achieve a good work environment, me-
chanical solutions should chiefly be used. This means
that the waste is collected and handled using me-
chanical solutions such as vacuum waste collection
and bins emptied by vehicles with a special crane.
Manual systems should be avoided as far as it is
technically possible and economically reasonable.
The waste fee is used to steer development towards
mechanical systems.
38 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020
• Extend the potential for separation and collection
for households
• Develop the collection systems for fractions that
have been separated at source
• Impose requirements on property owners but also
support them so that the city's residents can dis-
pose of their household waste satisfactorily
Examples of what other actors can do
• Like property owners the city is to create the con-
ditions for tenants to separate food waste (the
environment programme)
• The city is to extend separation at source for the
public in its facilities (the environment programme)
• Extend the potential for businesses to dispose of
packaging
Follow-up and key indicators
User surveys (Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
It is important to take account of the work environment
in all links in the waste chain, including building care-
takers, personnel at recycling centres, waste collection
personnel and personnel at transfer stations, interim
storage facilities and waste treatment plants.
Actors
The Swedish Work Environment Authority issues
regulations for those involved in waste manage-
ment. Property owners are responsible for waste
management in their properties and for ensuring
that waste can be collected using the systems
available. Stockholm Vatten och Avfall is to create
the conditions for a good work environment through
good planning and imposing requirements during
procurement.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Continue the systematic work of remedying col-
lection points with a poor work environment
• Continue to phase out the collection of com-
pressed waste in bins and sacks
• Phase out refuse bins and sacks
• Phase out the collection of latrine waste bins
• Develop systems that provide a good work en-
vironment for the collection of bulky waste from
properties
Examples of what other actors can do
• Mechanical solutions should be chosen for all
new construction and major refurbishment work
3.4  It must be easier to dispose of waste for reuse
and recycling without a car
Description
Residents should be able to dispose of waste for
collection without using a car. Today there is the
mobile environment station for hazardous waste, it
is possible to borrow cargo bikes from the Roslagstull
Reuse Centre and there is kerbside collection for
certain types of waste. New solutions are under
development.
Actors
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall, property owners, FTI AB.
Today there is the mobile environment
station, cargo bikes from the Roslagstull
Reuse Centre and kerbside collection
It is important to
take account of the
work environment
in all links in the
waste chain
Follow-up and key indicators
The proportion of sack collection in the city (statistics
from Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
The number of collection points with compressed
waste in bins and sacks (statistics from Stockholm
Vatten och Avfall)
The number of collection points with latrine waste
bins (statistics from Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Develop alternatives to the traditional recycling
centres for the collection of bulky waste and ma-
terial for reuse in a dense urban environment
• Look at the opportunity to reach recycling cen-
tres and other collection systems using means of
transport other than cars
Examples of what other actors can do
• Plan for households to be able to dispose of
bulky waste and material for reuse in a dense
urban environment
Follow-up and key indicators
Description of how the work has been developed
(Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
User surveys (Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 39
Objective 4
Waste management is to
be a natural part of the
city's physical planning

The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 41

 Description
This objective plays a key role in the fulfilment of all
the other objectives.

As the city’s population grows the volume of waste

that must be dealt with is also expected to increase.
The denser urban environment combined with
modern waste management systems often needing a
large area (for separation for example) means that it
is harder to find space. More people travelling in the
same amount of space places greater demands on
good logistics for the transport of waste. Even though
the city has the right potential for efficient waste
management it is a challenge to create systems
that are readily accessible, environmentally and
cost-effective and well adapted to the urban environ-
ment. Depending on the type of built environment in
certain areas local solutions are necessary, while a
central facility is more appropriate in others. There
are also accessibility factors in the planning of waste
management. It must be possible to carry out waste
management while maintaining road safety.

Another type of waste management for which

space is needed is clearing snow. According to the
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, snow
cleared from streets should be regarded as waste.
An exemption is therefore necessary to dump snow
in and around bodies of water. For snow clearance
to work efficiently in the city, and for snow to be han-
dled without the environmental impact unnecessary
transport entails, suitable areas need to be set aside
for snow clearance around the city.

The Stockholm city plan – The Walkable City - is

being updated. Housing is a priority for the city,
40,000 homes are to be built by 2020. The city's
vision 2040 of a great city to live in, "A Stockholm
for Everyone", is the starting point. The city plan is to
draw up solutions that make it easy for the residents
of Stockholm to live environmentally sound lives and
to deal with challenges in the form of major differ-
ences in social circumstances between city districts.

Stockholm also needs to adapt to a changing

climate. Torrential rain and rising sea levels will result
in the risk of flooding and can affect where facilities
need to be located so that their function is not lost.

42 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

Vision for 2040
Planning for the management of waste is to be
included at an early stage and at all levels, regional,
citywide and local, and in the new construction
and refurbishment of individual properties. Everyone
involved in the planning process is to have a good
Subsidiary objectives for
the period of the plan
4.1  Waste issues are to be taken into account at
the initial planning stages of new construction and
refurbishment
Description
It is important that waste issues are included at an
early stage of the planning process so as to find
the scope for resource-efficient waste management.
There are many actors involved and there are often
different interests to be reconciled. We will build an
attractive and accessible city together.
Actors
All public administrative bodies and municipal
enterprises have a responsibility for handling the
waste issue as part of their activities. Particularly
involved are the City Planning Administration, the
City Development Administration, the Traffic Adminis-
tration Office and the City District Administrations.
understanding of waste issues and see waste
management as a natural part of infrastructure.
Account must be taken of how people are to have
good access to systems at the same time as these
are adapted to a dense urban environment.
Examples of what Stockholm Vatten och
Avfall, the City of Stockholm and other
actors can do
• Develop partnership arrangements between
public administrative bodies and companies in
the city in order to produce good examples of
first-rate waste management
• Further cooperation in the city in order to
introduce waste issues at an early stage in the
planning process
• Clarify the systems to be prioritised from a work
environment perspective and for resource-efficiency
Follow-up and key indicators
A description of how the work has been developed
to achieve the subsidiary objective (the City Devel-
opment Administration, the City Planning Administra-
tion, Stockholm Vatten och Avfall)
The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 43
4.2  To deal with increasing urban density,
end-to-end solutions, covering both the new and
existing built environment, are to be considered
Description • Work towards clarity in the potential for common
Sometimes by taking a comprehensive approach solutions for property owners
to a large area, waste management systems in
new areas can solve potential problems with waste Examples of what the various actors can do
management in neighbouring, existing areas and • Identify existing waste management systems in
vice versa. As a basis Stockholm Vatten och Avfall the area before starting the planning of a new
has drawn up a list prioritising the collection systems one to see if it can be used or improved
used in the city.
Follow-up and key indicators
Actors A description of how the work has been developed
The City Development Administration, City Planning to achieve the subsidiary objective (Stockholm Vatten
Administration, Stockholm Environment & Health Protec- och Avfall)
tion Administration, City Development Administrations,
property owners and Stockholm Vatten och Avfall.

Stockholm Vatten och

What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
Avfall has drawn up a list
• Investigate the possibility of creating a thematic prioritising the collection
supplement to the city plan regarding waste systems used in the city
management planning

4.3  It must be possible to use land in the city for

waste-related activities
Description
Waste management in the city is dependent on land
being set aside for technical services. Recycling cen-
tres, transfer stations, waste treatment plants, reuse
sites and snow dumps all require space. Existing
facilities need replacement sites if they cannot contin-
ue to operate at the original location. Private actors
who are part of the waste chain also need to be
able to carry on their activities.
Actors
The City Development Administration, City Planning
Administration, Traffic Administration Office and
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall.
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• In partnership with other public administrative
bodies in the city develop and adapt systems
suitable for the public space, for example the
use of multifunctional areas
• Draw up guidance for event waste, food trucks
and market stalls
• Continue work aimed at achieving a consensus
on the use of municipal land for waste manage-
ment when good waste management cannot be
arranged on the property

44 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

Examples of what other actors can do
• Reuse excavated material to avoid the extraction
of unused natural resources and reduce the need
to transport excavated material (the environment
programme)
• Cooperate with other actors to find long-term
solutions for bulk materials handling in the city
• Look at the potential to dump snow in locations
other than in the water
• Ensure that existing recycling centres remain in
place or that replacement sites exist if a centre
has to be removed
4.4  Increased account is to be taken of the
surrounding environment in the collection of waste
Description
Creating easily accessible collection systems for both
users and waste collection contractors that are adapt-
ed to the urban environment and local natural and
cultural assets is a challenge. In both the inner city
and the suburbs there is a varied built environment
and surroundings that may conflict with the require-
ments of rational waste management and a good
work environment.
This subsidiary objective also relates to reducing the
impact on the surrounding environment (noise and
emissions for example).
Actors
City of Stockholm, property owners, developers and
contractors.
All waste transport
is to be carried out
using good and
carefully considered
logistics
• Set aside areas of land in the city for waste man-
agement related activities managed by the City
of Stockholm and other actors
• In partnership the city can work for areas to have
multifunctional usage
• Look at the possibility of using municipal land for
temporary waste management (during construc-
tion and refurbishment for example).
Follow-up and key indicators
A description of how the work has been developed to
achieve the subsidiary objective (Stockholm Vatten och
Avfall, the City Planning Administration, City Develop-
ment Administration, Traffic Administration Office)
What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do
• Develop and disseminate the city's guidelines
"Plan and build for good waste management"
• Work towards all waste management being
carried out using vehicles running on renewable
fuels to the greatest possible extent
• Promote good and carefully considered logistics
for waste transport
• Continue work on the noise problem at the city's
recycling centres and other collection systems
Examples of what other actors can do
• Collaborate within the city and with Stockholm
Vatten och Avfall (on traffic issues and the provi-
sion of areas for waste management for example)
Follow-up and key indicators
A description of how the work has been developed
to achieve the subsidiary objective (Stockholm Vatten
och Avfall)
The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 45
4.5  New technical solutions are to be tested and
the development of collection and handling systems
is to continue

Description • Look at the possibilities for extended regional

Stockholm is a city with many different types of built
environment with different characters. A broad range
of system solutions is required to achieve effective
waste management. Therefore new technologies
need to be tested and the development of existing
systems must continue. As the city grows, previously
untried solutions may be needed.
Examples of what other actors can do
Actors
The City of Stockholm, developers and contractors.
cooperation
• Continue to work on combining vacuum waste
collection with the expansion of separation at
source
• Investigate the criteria for new responsibility and
ownership structures
• Work with the city to identify new and effective
solutions

What will Stockholm Vatten och Avfall do

Follow-up and key indicators
• Continue the continuous development of waste
A description of how the work has been developed
management systems
to achieve the subsidiary objective (Stockholm Vatten
• Be open to innovations that can lead to the de- och Avfall)
velopment of waste management
• Collaborate with other actors in order to find
good solutions

46 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

Glossary and definitions
Anaerobic digestion The biodegradation of organic material in an oxygen-free environ-
ment. During anaerobic digestion biogas and digestate are formed.

Biochar Charred biomass produced through pyrolysis.

Bulky waste Household waste that is heavy or bulky, or has other properties mak-
ing it unsuitable for collection in the ordinary household rubbish bag.

Fraction A particular separated component of the waste. For example food

waste, glass, metal packaging or textile waste.

Hazardous waste Waste that is dangerous because it is explosive, flammable,

corrosive, infectious or toxic to people and the environment.

Waste described in Annex 4 of the Ordinance on Waste

(SFS 2011:927) with a waste code marked with an asterisk (*)
or waste pursuant to the provisions in Section 12 of the Ordinance on
Waste, shall be deemed hazardous waste. Examples of hazardous
waste include paint residue, waste oil, pesticide residue and solvents.

Hazardous waste Collection point for hazardous household waste.

collecting station

Household waste Waste generated by households and comparable waste from other
sources.

ILS Integrated management system. The City of Stockholm's web-based

system for the integrated management and monitoring of activities
and the budget.

Marine litter Manufactured objects or parts of objects that have been thrown
away, left or unintentionally lost, and directly or indirectly ended up
in the sea, in coastal waters or on the shoreline.

Producer responsibility
Producers of goods and products in the areas in which there is
producer responsibility are responsible for collecting and dealing
with these goods and products. For example there is producer
responsibility for packaging, recyclable paper, cars, tyres, waste from
electrical and electronic equipment and pharmaceutical products.

Pyrolysis A process in which a substance is heated to a high temperature in

an oxygen-free environment so that it decomposes without combustion
taking place.

Recycling centre Large, manned collection and reception site primarily for bulky
household waste.

48 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

Reuse Measure that either means:
1) that a product or component that is not waste is used again to fulfil
the same function it was originally intended for, or
2) waste management that, through inspection, cleaning or repair,
means that products or components that had become waste can be
reused.

Also used as the name of the recycling centres in which the focus is
on reuse.

Revaq A certification system for the sustainable recycling of plant nutrients,

the reduced flow of hazardous substances to wastewater treatment
plants and the management of risk on the way there.

The environmental A digital tool for municipalities and organisations for reporting their
barometer environmental or sustainability work on the web.

The Ordinance on Waste The Ordinance on Waste (SFS 2011:927) contains provisions
governing waste and waste management.

User survey Questionnaire and telephone survey undertaken to identify the views
of various customer groups on our activities.

Volume fee A waste fee where the fee is based on the container volume and
collection frequency.

Waste All objects, agents or substances that the holder wishes to dispose of,
or is obliged to dispose of.

Waste component A method of investigating the composition of a particular type of

analysis waste by sorting it into different fractions and weighing each fraction.

Waste fee Fee charged by the municipality to finance the management of the
waste for which the municipality is responsible. Pursuant to Chapter
27, Sections 4–6 of the Swedish Environmental Code a waste col-
lection fee shall be paid based on the tariff set by the City Council.

Waste hierarchy The basis of the EU's waste directive (2008/98/EC). Indicates the
order in which different methods for treating waste should be used.

Weight fee A waste fee where the fee is based on the weight of the waste
collected.

The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020 49

List of annexes
1 Description of waste management in the City of Stockholm
2 Waste volumes and streams in the City of Stockholm
3 Facilities for the recycling and disposal of waste in the City of Stockholm
4 Maps of waste treatment plants in the Stockholm region
5 Details of disused landfill sites in the City of Stockholm
6 Follow-up of the Waste management plan for Stockholm 2013–2016
7 Related legislation, regulations, objectives and strategies
8 An environmental impact assessment for the Waste management plan
for Stockholm 2017–2020
9 A social impact assessment for the Waste management plan for Stockholm
2017–2020

50 The Waste management plan for Stockholm 2017–2020

Adopted 3 April 2017

Layout and production: Blomquist I Photography: Johnér, iStock I Printing: Edita Bobergs I Item number: 14404 Stockholm Vatten och Avfall 05/2017
Stockholm Vatten och Avfall is a cutting edge
community builder that operates and develops water
and waste services with an environmental focus.
Every day, all year round we supply 1.4 million
Stockholm residents with clean, high quality tap
water, treat wastewater and ensure that waste is dealt
with. Together with residents, companies and other
stakeholders we are working to make Stockholm the
world's most sustainable city.

Stockholm Vatten och Avfall

+46 (0)8 522 120 00, kund@svoa.se
www.svoa.se

Part of the City of Stockholm