Waste management in mountain cabins

Waste management beyond accessible roads is a complex issue. Those of us spending time in the sensitive mountain environment need to work together to make it function. The most important thing is to minimise the amount of waste and food scraps. As a visitor, you are also expected to carry out some of your own rubbish.

How waste management works

1. All waste collected in the cabins must either be transported down from the mountains or burned on site where permitted. This applies to everything – from food waste and tin cans to snus and tampons.
2. In mountain areas beyond accessible roads, no ground transport is possible during the snow-free season. In the past, waste could be burned at all mountain cabins, but this is no longer allowed in many places. Transporting waste by helicopter is not considered a sustainable solution.
3. STF has well-functioning systems for handling recyclable materials that can be stored. You can leave these at the cabins, where they are kept and later transported by snowmobile to the road during winter. Make sure to clean, compress and sort all such waste carefully.
4. Lightweight waste such as soft plastics and paper is difficult to store. It takes up space, can smell and attract pests. This is where you need to help by carrying your own waste down from the mountains.
5. Food waste can be left at cabins that have composting facilities. At other locations, place it in your rubbish bag and carry it with you to a cabin or station with composting, or down to waste facilities by the road. Avoid food waste by not cooking more than you can eat.
6. Rest huts and wind shelters along the state trails are managed by the County Administrative Board. These usually do not have waste facilities, so there is nowhere to dispose of rubbish.
7. By planning ahead and packing smart, you can help reduce the amount of waste in the mountain cabins.

What you can do:

1. Minimise the amount of waste and food scraps.
2. Clean, compress and sort all recyclables.
3. Carry your portable waste down from the mountains.

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Which trash should you carry with you?

Storable waste – please leave at the cabin

1. Metal
2. Glass
3. Hard plastic
4. Batteries
5. Empty gas canisters
6. Deposit cans and bottles

Portable waste – carry out

1. Freeze-dried meal pouches, crisp packets
2. Soft plastic, flexible packaging, candy wrappers
3. Paper packaging
4. Snus, tea bags, plasters, sanitary products, etc.
5. Anything labelled “combustible waste”

Food waste – keep it to a minimum

1. Some of our cabins have compost for food waste, but not all.
2. In cabins with compost: place food waste in the designated compost bin in the kitchen.
3. In cabins without compost: put it in your rubbish bag and carry it with you to a cabin or station with compost, or down to waste facilities by the road.

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Waste management in practice

1. You will receive a rubbish bag from the cabin host when you arrive at an STF mountain cabin.
2. Use it for all your cleaned, portable waste.
3. If you need more bags, contact the cabin host.
4. Carry your portable waste down from the mountains.
5. Do not dump food in nature!
6. Dispose of your bag at designated waste stations at STF Mountain stations in Kebnekaise, Abisko, Saltoluokta, Grövelsjön and Storulvån, or via municipal waste facilities.

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