Waste Management
Waste management involves both waste collection and recycling. Garbage is normally collected from properties on alternate weeks. The waste collection tariff consists of a basic fee plus a charge based on the weight of the rubbish collected on each occasion. The weighing of rubbish has been introduced to encourage source-sorting and recycling. Waste that has been collected is delivered to the Dåva CHP (combined heating and power) plant a few kilometres to the north of Umeå, where it is incinerated and converted into district heating and electricity in one of the most efficient installations in the world.

Waste is recycled via recycling centres, recycling stations and environmental stations.
N.B. These facilities are for households and not for companies or other commercial operations.

Composting
Composting garden and kitchen waste is a good way of reducing the weight of rubbish prior to collection. Compost installations must be notified to the Environmental and Health Protection unit. Contact the unit for further information, advice about composting procedures, etc.

Telephone: +46-(0)90-16 16 97

Recycling centres
Recycling centres are major facilities which accept virtually all types of waste, with the exception of kitchen waste. There are six recycling centres in the Umeå municipality where householders can dispose of heavy/bulky items or materials, garden waste, hazardous waste, electrical scrap (old appliances, TVs, etc.), packaging and newspapers, free of charge.
The recycling centre closest to central Umeå is located at Gimonäs. Drive towards Holmsund, take the first turn to the right after the Strömpilen roundabout and then follow the signposts.

The Gimonäs recycling centre is open as follows:
Monday 7.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Tuesday 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Wednesday 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Thursday 7.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Friday 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Saturday 10.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.
(May, June, August and September 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.)

UMEVA personnel are at your service and will help you to put various types of waste in the right place. The waste materials collected at recycling centres are subsequently removed for reuse, recycling, energy recycling (Dåva CHP plant) or wastefill.

Contact UMEVA for further information, including opening hours at other recycling centres.

Telephone: +46-(0)90-16 19 00

Buing a new product
When you buy a new product such as a refrigerator, freezer, washing machine, TV set, radio, or audio equipment, you can leave your old product at the point of purchase. This also applies to batteries.

Recycling stations
Umeå also has about 90 recycling stations, usually located close to shops, filling stations or in open spaces in housing areas. UMEVA is responsible for maintaining recycling stations, while IL-Recycling and Ragnsells are responsible for emptying containers and recycling. You can use recycling stations to deposit newspapers and magazines, paper packaging, rigid plastic packaging, metal packaging and glass containers (coloured and transparent glass) and small batteries.

In addition to recycling centres, hazardous waste may also be deposited at environmental stations at the following locations:

• Statoil, Tegsvägen
• OKQ8, Ersboda
• OKQ8, Haga
• OKQ8, Carlslid
• Shell, Backenvägen
• Edmans handel, Bullmark
• Holmön

Hazardous household waste
Hazardous household waste which can be deposited at environmental stations includes used motor oil, fluorescent tubes, low-energy lamps, mercury thermometers, small batteries, paint residues, solvents, adhesive residues, degreasing fluids, acids, caustic soda, insecticides and weed killers, photographic solutions, and other products that contain substances that can harm human beings, animals or the environment.

Environmental stations are kept locked, for safety reasons. Personnel in the neighbouring retail store or filling station will lend you a key and help you if you need assistance. It is important to ensure that hazardous waste is deposited in a suitable package or container and that the contents are clearly marked. Use the original container/package wherever possible and avoid mixing different products.

Further information
Questions about waste, garbage collection and recycling?

UMEVA, telephone: +46 (0)90-16 19 00
Environmental and Health Protection unit, telephone: +46 (0)90-16 16 97