Waste - Transport

To transport waste, a permit from the County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) is required in some cases, while in other cases a notification is sufficient. A permit is required for commercial transport of hazardous waste, for transport of more than 10 tons or 50 cubic meters of non-hazardous waste per year, and for transport of waste containing mercury, cyanide, cadmium or PCB products.

For transport of waste from one's own commercial activities, different limits apply. The rules are complex and depend on waste type, quantity, and whether the transport is commercial or from own activities. For commercial traffic, a commercial transport license from the Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen) is also required.

Requirements and Permit Obligations

  • Commercial transport of hazardous waste: Always requires a permit.
  • Commercial transport of non-hazardous waste: Permit required for more than 10 tons/50 cbm per year, otherwise notification.
  • Specific waste types: Permit required for waste containing mercury (except whole light bulbs), cyanide, cadmium or PCB.
  • Transport from own business: Permit required for more than 100 kg/liters of hazardous waste per year, otherwise notification. For non-hazardous waste, notification is sufficient.
  • Exceptions: Certain waste types (agricultural chemicals, fly ash, infectious waste, asbestos, etc.) require only notification even for higher quantities.
  • Commercial transport license: Required from the Swedish Transport Agency for commercial traffic.

Application and Documentation

  • Application: Sent to the County Administrative Board in the county where the company has its registered office or main business. Foreign companies apply in the county where waste is collected/delivered.
  • Fee: Application and notification are subject to fees.
  • Validity period: Permits for hazardous waste are usually valid for 5 years. Permits for non-hazardous waste are valid until further notice or for a limited time.
  • Transport document: Must accompany hazardous waste and include waste type, weight, date, locations, carrier and recipient.
  • Records: Transporter must keep records of each transport of hazardous waste and save for at least 12 months.

Special Rules

  • Dangerous goods: Hazardous waste may also be dangerous goods. Rules are issued by the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF).
  • Cross-border transport: For export/import of waste, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency decides.
  • Waste deliverer: Must verify that recipient has required permit or notification.
  • Transport document: Must be signed by deliverer and transporter, can be electronic with electronic signature.