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Can you return glass bottles for pant in Sweden?

Which glass bottles carry a deposit, where to return them and what to do with the rest.

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Short answer

Yes, but only glass bottles marked as returnable can be returned for deposit, either at any Systembolaget store or at some grocery stores. Glass bottles without a deposit symbol, such as wine bottles, go to glass recycling, sorted by colour. Systembolaget's deposit on returnable glass bottles is SEK 3 per bottle since 1 June 2025.

Waste and recycling services in Stockholm Illustration of a water bottle, a luggage locker, a toilet sign and a clock

Why

  1. According to Systembolaget, you can return returnable glass bottles and crates at all Systembolaget stores, and some grocery stores also accept returnable glass.
  2. According to Systembolaget, glass bottles without a deposit are taken to glass recycling and sorted into clear and coloured glass.
  3. According to Pantamera, its machines do not handle glass bottles, so deposit glass is returned at stores that accept it.

Details

Returnable glass has a return symbol, which is found on some beer bottles, and the deposit amount is shown on the shelf label in the store and on the product page at systembolaget.se. On wine bottles with a screw cap, leave any metal sleeve under the thread in place, because it is removed after the glass is crushed. If you bring bottles from abroad, see how much alcohol you can bring into Sweden from Germany or other EU countries, and for recycling points see waste and recycling services in Stockholm.

Tip

Check the return symbol or the shelf label before you buy if you plan to return the bottle, and ask your grocery store whether it accepts returnable glass.

What may differ

Grocery stores differ: Systembolaget says only some grocery stores accept returnable glass, so check with your local store. Cans and PET bottles with deposit go to grocery store machines instead.

Common misconception

All glass bottles, including wine bottles, have a deposit in Sweden.

What actually happens

According to Systembolaget, glass bottles without a deposit go to glass recycling, and returnable glass is the kind with a return symbol, found on some beer bottles.

People also ask

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Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Systembolaget and Pantamera before you return bottles.

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