Shopping in Sweden – Doing it right :-)

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Having grown up in Scandinavia, I tend to take recycling for granted – it is simply embedded in every part of our lives. I recently visited a supermarket in Sweden, and it reminded me how efficiently the recycling system works in Scandinavia. Just a simple thing such as reorganising the way supermarkets work, can really make a big difference in the way people handle their shopping and recycling!

: My trusted steed, ready to hold all my groceries.

: This is the place in the supermarket that people come to get money for their empty bottles/cans. You’ll frequently see a line of people patiently waiting to recycle properly – after a party, there is usually a lot of dosh to be made from helping the environment! The verb “panta” means “to recycle bottles and get money for it”

: The machine will spit out money on a piece of paper, either to spend in the supermarket or to reclaim in cash – no questions asked 🙂

: Oooh, how nice, I will get 2kr (about 1RM) in “pant” (recycling money) when I return this bottle!

: Most beans/tomato sauce/etc no longer come in cans, but in recyclable paper versions (that store the food just as well, but with less aluminium used). The top shelf is full of organic options, for just a few kronor more.

: Note that the onions require no plastic bags in order to be weighed!

: A high element of trust is involved – people can go through the supermarket and beep their own things, and check themselves out at the end. A fascinating (and quick) experience!