Sweden imports foreign waste to fuel energy production

Sweden has developed a profitable waste-to-energy model by importing millions of tons of refuse from other nations to fuel its cogeneration plants (kraftvärmeverk). These facilities incinerate non-recyclable waste to produce steam, which drives turbines for electricity generation and provides heat for urban district heating networks.

According to industry data, energy recovery from waste yields approximately 19.5 TWh annually. This output is sufficient to heat roughly 1.47 million homes and provide electricity for about 940,000 households. The system is highly efficient, with less than 1% of Swedish domestic waste ending up in landfills.

Due to high domestic capacity, Sweden imports significant quantities of waste. In 2024, the country received approximately 3.86 million tons of waste subject to transboundary notification, primarily from the United Kingdom, Norway, and Italy. This model serves as a practical application of the circular economy, providing a revenue stream through waste management fees while addressing energy needs.