Sweden increases waste imports from Europe for energy production

Sweden is significantly increasing its import of municipal waste to fuel its energy production systems. Since 2010, waste imports have risen from approximately 1.34 million tons to nearly 3.86 million tons annually. While major suppliers include Norway, the United Kingdom, and Italy, Poland is also among the key countries exporting waste to Sweden.

Sweden utilizes this waste primarily for incineration to provide district heating and electricity, a strategy developed to reduce dependence on fossil fuels following the oil crises of the 1970s. Currently, about 60 percent of Sweden's waste is incinerated for energy, while only about 1 percent is sent to landfills. This contrasts with Poland, where approximately 30 to 40 percent of waste is still sent to landfills.

Experts note that Swedish municipalities and companies receive fees for managing waste from countries with different management practices, which helps provide affordable energy to Swedish households. Although transporting waste consumes energy, researchers suggest the energy recovered from the waste is roughly fifteen times greater than the energy used for transport. However, challenges remain regarding plastic recycling and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions and toxic ash produced during incineration.