This is the seventh of a series which takes a look at the cultural differences you may experience when living in Norway.

You step into your new home here in Norway and you realise there are several different coloured bins for your waste. What goes where?? Terms like bioavfall, papiravfall and restavfall are not going to help when you have not started your Norwegian lessons.

So here goes:
Brown bin (bioavfall) – For food and garden waste. Note that you will need to throw your food waste in biodegradable bags. This bin is emptied every 2 weeks.
biofilm bag 8l web Culture Shock Norway : Recycling and Waste

Green bin (papiravfall) – Paper waste. Remember to flatten your drink cartons as well. This bin is emptied once every 4 weeks. Do not throw books in this bin, donate them to friends, Fretex, the library or second-hand bookstores.

Red bin (farlig avfall og elektrisk avfall) – Hazardous and minor electrical waste. This bin is emptied twice a year. The Stavanger kommune offers to send you a free SMS 2 days before they empty this bin. Sign up for the service here.

Gray/black bin (restavfall) – for all other waste.
More detailed sorting guide here. (Don’t worry, it’s in English!)

3 bins 250x132 Culture Shock Norway : Recycling and Waste
Next question, what day of the week do your bins get emptied?
If you have not gotten the answer from your landlord or neighbours, just wait to see when your neighbours bring their bins out and follow in their footsteps. Alternatively, key in your address here and find out which day of the week it is. (tømmedag) This page also tells you which calendar to use. If you do not already have a hard copy at home, you can find the calendars here.

Do note that during holidays, e.g. Easter, Christmas, New Year, etc, the bin collection days are changed. Check them on the calendar.
calendar 250x333 Culture Shock Norway : Recycling and Waste

Do you need more bins? Or do you need to get rid of some bins?
You can order (bestille) or cancel (avbestille) them here. Use this form if you want bins with locks. The prices of the black bins are proportionate to the sizes so if your family has way less trash than the people who lived in the home before you, you might want to order smaller bins.

What do you do with bottles?
There are recycling stations in most supermarkets where you get between 1 to 2.50NOK per bottle. Some of the machines offer you the option of donating the money to charity. Note that not all bottles can be recycled at these stations. Bottles which can be recycled usually have a sign on it that says ‘PANT – _ kr’.

What about electronic waste?
Electrical and electronic equipment waste (EE waste) can be returned to shops that sell this type of equipment or to recycling stations at Forus or Sele (see below for addresses).

What do I do with my Christmas tree after the season is over?
Collection of Christmas trees: Week 2. Set your tree next to your other bins for collection. Renovasjonen Næring is in charge of Christmas tree collection. Contact them if your tree has not been collected.

IVAR Swap Shop at Forus – recycling in practice.
In the Swap Shop you may hand in usable things that other people might need. You are also welcome to help yourself to any items you like – absolutely free of charge.

At the Forus and Sele recycling plants you may deliver larger amounts of sorted waste. E.g. glass, metal, plastic, polystyrene, cardboard, paper, impregnated wood, wood, fabrics, car tyres, car batteries, electronic waste, household appliances, hazardous waste, PCB windows, residual waste, garden waste, rocks and soil..
Here are the current prices (including VAT):

* Passenger car: NOK 100 per load
* Van or small trailer: NOK 150 per load
* Large van or large trailer: NOK 250 per load

Deliveries by tractor, lorry og enclosed vehicle are not permitted. Please note that the recycling facilities at Forus and Sele do not accept waste from business and industry.

Forus Gjenvinningsstasjon
Forusbeen 200
4313 Sandnes
Opening hours at Forus:
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 7.30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 7.30 a.m. – 8.30 p.m.
Saturdays: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Telephone: (+47) 51 63 35 00

Sele Gjenvinningsstasjon
Opening hours at Sele:
Mondays – Fridays: 7.30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturdays: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Telephone: (+47) 51 71 85 70

I have too much waste to throw in my bins, nor am I able to bring them down to the recycling stations. What do I do?
You can order a container. The company will deliver the container (size chosen by you) onto your property, usually on the day you order or the next day, and when you are done throwing all your waste in there, simply call them and they will come and pick up the container. They will send you a bill within 2 weeks. It is a fixed price for delivering the container, but your waste will be charged by weight and you may need to pay extra if the container stands on your property for more than 7 days (different companies have different rules).
Renovasjonen IKS
WestCo
Amdal Container
AB Container Utleie
There are more companies offering this service, of course, but I cannot remember all of them.

Pollution
If you discover pollutants or litter in water or soil, contact the water and sewerage section (vann- og avløpsverket) on telephone 04005 or by email.

Read More
Sola Kommune – Check under Tømme Calendar
Sandnes Kommune – Information on Recycling and Waste
15 Tips To Reduce Waste

See entire Culture Shock Norway series here.

Culture Shock Norway : Recycling and Waste

About Cynthia Myrnes

Cynthia is a Singaporean who has been living in Stavanger since Feb 2008 with her Norwegian husband. She works as a physiotherapist here and also owns her own petsitting service, Stavanger Petsitter, for the residents of Stavanger. In addition, she manages the Stavanger International Moms group. She loves hanging out with friends, spending time with animals, travelling and watersports such as scuba diving and wake boarding. Most of all, she is enjoying the experience of being a first time mom!