Collection Systems in Finland 🇫🇮
About
Finland uses a comprehensive separation system combining kerbside collection with recycling stations. Packaging-only rules are strictly enforced, and deposit return systems cover beverage containers.
Collection Streams
Plastic Packaging Recycling (Yellow)
What goes in:
- Empty plastic food packaging (e.g., yoghurt/butter tubs, meat/cheese/ready-meal trays)
- Plastic bags/film/wrap
- Detergent/shampoo/soap bottles
- Other empty household plastic packaging (incl. many black plastic packs; PVC packaging is accepted in the HSY example)
What does NOT go in:
- Non-packaging plastic items (toys, kitchen utensils, storage boxes, washing-up bowls, etc.)
- Packaging with hazardous residues (e.g., motor oil containers)
- Empty packs that contained liquid medicines
- Pressurised containers
Notes:
- Packaging only (not plastic objects)
- Remove caps/lids and put them separately (commonly still into plastic packaging)
- Don't nest different packages inside each other
- Deposit plastic bottles go to store return machines
Metal Collection (Black)
What goes in:
- Metal packaging (tins/cans, foil & trays, lids/caps)
- Tea light cups
- Small metal items that fit the bin (common practice)
What does NOT go in:
- Batteries/accumulators
- Aerosols/paint cans unless completely empty
- Electrical appliances (WEEE)
- Plastic packaging (e.g., plastic coffee bags)
Notes:
- Put only items that fit the container
- Larger metal items typically go to a recycling station
- Rinse food residue if needed
- Deposit metal cans should go to store return
Carton & Cardboard Packaging (Blue)
What goes in:
- Carton/paper/cardboard packaging: milk/juice cartons (also lined)
- Cereal boxes, other carton boxes
- Paper bags (bread/flour etc.)
- Paper carrier bags
- Egg cartons
- Toilet/kitchen roll tubes
- Corrugated boxes
What does NOT go in:
- Packaging with significant food residue not scraped out
- Gift wrap
- Craft cardboard
- Styrofoam (unless it's specifically accepted as plastic packaging in your area)
- Plastic packaging like bubble wrap/air pillows/plastic bags
Notes:
- Remove food residues, keep packaging empty
- Flatten boxes
- Detached caps usually go to plastic packaging
- Moldy packaging is typically not recyclable as carton
Glass Packaging (White)
What goes in:
- Empty deposit-free glass bottles and jars
What does NOT go in:
- Deposit bottles
- Drinking glasses and other glassware
- Oven/heat-resistant glass (e.g., casserole dishes, coffee pots)
- Crystal
- Porcelain/ceramics
- Window glass/mirrors
- Lamps
- Packaging with hazardous residues
Notes:
- Remove lids/caps
- Labels/rings typically ok
- Many places treat flat glass (window/mirror) separately (recycling station)
- Some guidance allows small amounts in mixed waste—follow local instructions
- Deposit bottles go to store return
Bio-waste / Organics
What goes in:
- Food and kitchen waste: fruit/veg peels, leftovers, bones/fish bones, eggshells
- Coffee grounds + filters, tea bags
- Paper napkins/tissues
- Plant trimmings
- Small amounts of yard waste
- Some wood-based pet litter
What does NOT go in:
- Regular plastic bags
- Packaging
- Liquids (soups/broths)
- Cooking oil/grease as liquids
- Diapers & hygiene products
- Medicines
- Cat litter
- Pet feces
- Chewing gum
- Ash/cigarette butts
Notes:
- Don't make it too wet (drain liquids)
- If you have large seasonal volumes (e.g., lots of apples), follow local guidance (often not suited to the normal bio-bin)
- Rules on compostable liners can vary—regular plastic bags are not allowed
Sources:
Residual / Mixed Waste
What goes in:
- Non-recyclable household waste, e.g.: hygiene items (diapers, sanitary products)
- Vacuum bags
- Cat litter
- Non-recyclable plastics (e.g., PVC items, dirty/greasy food packaging)
- Broken ceramics/porcelain
- Drinking glasses and other non-packaging glassware
- Cooled ash/cigarette butts
- Cooking oil in a tightly closed bottle
What does NOT go in:
- Hazardous waste (batteries, medicines, chemicals)
- Electrical devices
- Large metal items
- Recyclable fractions that have their own collection (bio-waste, packaging, paper)
Notes:
- Finland often energy-recovers (incinerates) mixed waste
- Still, keep recyclables and hazardous waste out
- Large/bulky items go to municipal waste/recycling stations
Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
What goes in:
- Deposit-marked beverage containers (plastic bottles, metal cans, glass bottles) returned via store return systems
What does NOT go in:
- Don't put deposit containers into packaging recycling bins (plastic/metal/glass)
Notes:
- Containers generally need to be intact and with readable barcode/ID for correct deposit recognition
Batteries & Small Accumulators
What goes in:
- Household batteries and small device accumulators
What does NOT go in:
- Not in mixed waste
- Not in metal
- Not loose in WEEE bins
Notes:
- Typically returned free to battery collection boxes in shops that sell batteries
- Tape terminals to prevent short-circuits
- Leaking batteries in a plastic bag
Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE / SER)
What goes in:
- Devices that need electricity/battery/solar: appliances, phones/computers/chargers/cables, power tools, battery-powered toys, many lamps (LED/fluorescent)
What does NOT go in:
- Not in mixed waste
- Not in metal
- Remove loose batteries (fire risk)
Notes:
- Finland has a nationwide SER return network (often free for households)
- Municipalities also accept at recycling stations
Discarded Textiles
What goes in:
- Clean, dry, odourless, worn-out clothes and home textiles (where a municipal/area collection exists)
- Good-quality items to reuse/donation
What does NOT go in:
- Underwear, socks/tights
- Wet/mouldy/smelly textiles
- Duvets/pillows
- Carpets
- Shoes, belts
Notes:
- Availability varies by area
- If no textile stream locally, many of the excluded items go to mixed waste per local instructions
Hazardous Waste
What goes in:
- Solvents, paints/glues/varnish, oils/oily waste
- Strong acids/alkalis
- Pesticides
- Pressurised aerosols that still hiss
- Fluorescent/energy-saving lamps
- Many batteries are treated as hazardous
What does NOT go in:
- Never in mixed waste or down the drain
- Medicines/needles/syringes are typically pharmacy only (not general hazardous waste drop-offs)
Notes:
- Take to municipal hazardous waste reception points (often free for households)
- Keep separated; don't mix chemicals
Paper (Non-Packaging Print Paper)
What goes in:
- Post-through-the-letterbox type paper: newspapers, magazines, ads, brochures/catalogues, office paper/printouts, envelopes
What does NOT go in:
- Packaging paper like paper carrier bags and flour/sugar bags (these are packaging → carton collection)
- Gift wrap
- Books
- Wet/dirty paper
- Paper with plastic/metal parts not removed
Notes:
- Must be clean and dry
- Remove obvious non-paper parts when possible (e.g., metal/plastic spines)
- Envelopes are generally ok
What Gets Collected
Accepted Items
- • Packaging materials (varies by stream)
- • Empty and clean containers
- • Material-specific items
Not Accepted
- • Non-packaging items
- • Contaminated materials
- • Hazardous containers with contents
Regional Variations
Collection systems in Finland may vary by municipality or region. Local sorting capabilities, collection infrastructure, and acceptance criteria can differ significantly even within the same country.
Important Notes
Packaging vs. non-packaging distinction is critical—yellow bins accept only plastic packaging, not plastic objects.
Empty and clean requirements apply—packaging should be empty, and food residue should be rinsed if needed.
Deposit return system covers beverage containers—return them for deposit rather than placing in packaging bins.
Regional variations exist for some materials—follow local guidance, especially for flat glass and large metal items.
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.