Trash & Recycling Rules
Essential phrases for figuring out trash, recycling rules, and collection days in your Norwegian housing.
Key Phrases
Hvor er søppeldunkene?
casualWhere are the trash cans?
Everyday phrasing to ask a neighbor.
Unnskyld, hvor kaster vi søpla her?
politeExcuse me, where do we throw the trash here?
More polite, good for asking the caretaker or a new landlord.
Må jeg sortere plast og papir?
casualDo I have to sort plastic and paper?
Direct and simple way to ask about local rules.
Hvordan sorterer vi avfallet her?
neutralHow do we sort the waste here?
The word 'avfall' (waste) is slightly more formal than 'søppel' (trash).
Hvor kaster jeg glass og metall?
neutralWhere do I throw glass and metal?
Glass and metal usually go in shared public containers in Norway.
Hva gjør jeg med matavfall?
neutralWhat do I do with food waste?
Food waste often requires specific colored bags depending on the municipality.
Når henter de søpla?
casualWhen do they collect the trash?
Common everyday phrasing.
Hvilken dag tømmer de dunkene?
neutralWhich day do they empty the bins?
Søppeldunken for plast er full.
neutralThe trash can for plastic is full.
Use this if you need to notify the caretaker.
Hvor kan jeg sette gamle møbler?
neutralWhere can I put old furniture?
Large items usually have to be driven to a recycling station (gjenvinningsstasjon).