Sustainable living in Sweden

Sweden is aiming for a zero waste society. This takes the country’s recycling revolution one step further – from dumping rubbish in landfills, to recycling to reusing.

All housing areas have recycling buildings where information can be found specifying what kind of waste separation needs to be carried out by the tenant in order to minimize negative effects on the environment.

Sustainability at Lund University

Lund University emphasises sustainability with Sustainability Forum. Take a look at their events and maybe attend one of their open online courses!

Feel free to be inspired by tips from students at Sustainable Lund website. Links to an external site.

How to sort your waste

When you sort waste, you save resources and energy and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and hazardous substances. The regulations in Sweden might look different from your home country, therefore it is recommended for you to read the guidelines for recycling in Sweden, and learn how to sort your waste.

The pant system

Sweden has long had a can and bottle deposit system that gives people money back when they recycle – since 1984 for aluminium cans, and since 1994 for plastic bottles. Each year Swedes recycle 1.8 billion bottles and cans that would otherwise be thrown away using the so-called pant system. It even has its own verb in Swedish, panta.

Reusable shopping bags

Many people in Sweden bring their own shopping bag when they do their grocery shopping. It is encouraged by the shops for you to bring your own bags, even for clothing stores. Even if you do not own a stylish reusable bag you can always make use of plastic bags several times.

Second-hand stores

As a new student in Lund you are often in need of everyday household items, why not buy them second-hand? There are several second-hand stores in Lund (and Malmö) and considering the amount of students in town it is not a surprise that there is even a store specialised in second- hand course literature, Campus Bokhandeln. There are also "Buy-and-sell" groups on social media for students. Keep your eyes open and you will come across them! Below is a list of a few stores:

Erikshjälpen Second Hand Lund City
Address: Stora Södergatan 25, 222 23 Lund

Humana
Address: Kyrkogatan 5, 222 22 Lund

Emmaus
Address: Stora Södergatan 35-37, 222 23 Lund

IM Fair Trade
Address: Sankt Petri kyrkogata 13, 222 21 Lund

Campus Bokhandeln
Address: Winstrupsgatan 9, 222 22 Lund

Fyndkällaren
Address: Drottensgatan 2, 222 23 Lund

Ugglan Second Hand
Address: Fäladstorget 10, 226 47 Lund

Svalorna
Address: Spolegatan 5, 222 20 Lund

Biking

What is Lund without its bikes? A great way to be sustainable in Sweden is to buy a bike (second-hand of course) and there are several public places where you can fill up the air in your tires, see this lovely map over public air pumps. Links to an external site.

Sustainable food consumption

One way to incorporate the sustainability lifestyle in your life is to increase the amount of plant protein in your diet and decrease the amount of red meat. Many, if not all, restaurants in Lund have at least one vegetarian and/or vegan option and being a "flexitarian" is common. Flexitarianism entails eating meat from time to time instead of to every meal. Start by cooking one vegetarian dish a week and increase as time goes on!