Source: Pixabay
Recycling in Finland
Recycling in Finland creates trash enthusiasm!
Finland's low population density and high-level of technological skill has contributed to Finland being one of the top countries in Europe for environmental cleanliness.
Finland has a long history of recycling and waste management. The recycling of beverage containers started as early as in the 50´s, following with paper recycling in the 1960´s. The separate collection of paper, metal and cardboard began already in the 1940s.
In the 1970s, Finland began implementing more comprehensive waste management policies, including a national waste management plan that aimed to reduce waste generation and increase recycling. In 1994, the Finnish government introduced a waste management act that established a national framework for waste management and recycling.
Today, it is estimated that Finland recycles close to 100% of all beverage containers, glass, plastic and tin. Consequently, there are almost 5000 machines placed in shops, supermarkets and shopping malls that accept drinking containers. Even if the shop or kiosk is very tiny, without the ability to accommodate a recycling machine, every shop that sells beverages is obliged to accept return bottles, even over the counter.
Source: Minna Nelson & AI
Trash enthusiasm takes over!
The efficient recycling system has given many private individuals the initiative to start collecting different beverage bottles as a hobby in festival areas and events. This happens especially with large events of thousands of people, and the amount of cans and bottles left behind may be temporarily very high. I once talked to a local bottle guy, and he proudly told me that each autumn during the past 7 years, he had been able to take his wife on an annual holiday abroad with the money he had acquired by picking up beverage cans into his large basket, attached at the back of his bike. He said he was doing the collecting 2-3 nights a week. He was a pensioner and he thought riding a bike around the town was a good exercise as well.
We also have trash-runners, a new type of a hobbyist runner (roskajuoksija), who collects trash and beverage containers while running their daily or weekly run. They may carry a backpack with them, and a stick with a grabbing tool at the bottom end of the stick, to pick disgusting or dirty trash. In addition, they might even document their finds in social media.
There are further variations, I met a pair of ladies in Oulu, who were trash-canoeing, in a two-person canoe and cleaning the city shores and beaches, while enjoying the sun by paddling along the sea and rivers. What a dedication!
New recyclable materials arrived in 2023
Finnish recycling rose onto a new level when in early 2023 new recycling materials were introduced. Namely plastic ketchup bottles, potato chips bags, french fries wrappings and candy bags. Whereas beverage bottles are returned for hard cash, these new recyclable materials are returned against points, which in turn, can be exchanged for money. For the moment the recycling only applies to certain brands of wrappings, but I am sure, more will follow.
The new materials can be recycled on your own. The barcode of the purchased product is scanned in the store or at home into a mobile application. When the product is used and it is taken to the recycling point, the application asks you to confirm that you are at the recycling point. This is done using phone positioning services.
Overall, the success of Finland's recycling system can be attributed to a combination of government policies, public awareness campaigns, and a strong culture of environmental responsibility.
For household recycling information, please visit
Infofinland - Waste and Recycling- pages.
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Minna, OLS Community Manager – Finnish