Avfalls

Avfalls is the plural form of avfall in Swedish and Norwegian, and is commonly used to denote waste or refuse. It covers materials discarded after use that may be recovered or treated to reduce environmental impact. The streams include household waste (municipal solid waste), industrial and commercial waste, construction and demolition waste, and hazardous waste. Organic waste, such as food and garden waste, is often diverted to composting or anaerobic digestion.

Management follows the waste hierarchy: prevention, preparation for reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and disposal. Source separation and selective collection improve recycling outcomes and reduce landfilling. Recyclable materials—metals, plastics, paper, and glass—are processed into secondary raw materials. Organic fractions are composted or digested for soil amendments or energy. Non-recyclables may be incinerated with energy recovery where allowed or sent to landfills as a last resort.

Policy and law regulate avfall handling. National regulations, along with international guidelines in many regions, define responsibilities for collection, treatment, reporting, and targets. Extended producer responsibility and diversion targets are common features. Avfall management is a key element of the circular economy, which seeks to retain material value, reduce resource extraction, and lower environmental impacts.

Environmental impacts arise when avfall is mismanaged, including soil and groundwater contamination, air emissions, greenhouse gases, and marine litter. Proper avfall management reduces pollution, conserves resources, and can support economic activity in recycling and energy recovery sectors.