♻️ ‘Pant in Norway: how to earn money from empty bottles and help the environment’

Have you ever thought that ordinary empty bottles and cans could help you save money and contribute to protecting the environment? I'm so glad you asked! 😊 In Norway, this is a reality thanks to the Pant system. Here, you can return almost any plastic bottle or tin can to a special machine and get some of your money back right away. This lovely, simple practice has been a part of everyday life for Norwegians for a very long time. I totally get it – you want to know how the Pant system works and how to use it, even if you're a tourist. We'll fill you in on everything you need to know in this article!

What is the Pant system in Norway and why is it necessary?

Pant is a really great state deposit system for plastic bottles and aluminium cans that has been around in Norway for ages. We kindly ask you to buy drinks in containers (like water, soda or beer) because we want to keep our planet clean and beautiful. When you do this, you will pay a small additional deposit (usually between 2 and 3 NOK per bottle or can). And when you've finished your drink, you can just return the empty container and get your deposit back. The idea behind this system is to reduce plastic waste and encourage everyone to do their bit by recycling bottles. We have Pant to thank for that! Norway is now one of the most environmentally friendly countries in Europe, which is great news for us all.

Just wondering if you could tell me which bottles and cans Pant accepts?

You'll be happy to know that almost all plastic bottles and aluminium cans sold in Norwegian shops are part of the Pant system! You might have spotted the special symbol on these bottles and cans, showing you how much the deposit is. You can find them under 'Pant 2 NOK' or 'Pant 3 NOK'. Don't worry if you see a 2 NOK deposit – this is just for plastic bottles up to 0.5 litres and cans. And if your bottle is 1 litre or larger, you'll see a 3 NOK deposit. Please remember that Pant machines usually can't accept glass bottles. You can return them to special glass collection points instead.

Where can I return bottles and get my money back?

Just so you know, you can actually return bottles and cans in Norway and get your money back at pretty much any big supermarket. Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop and Meny are just a few of the places that do this. Don't worry if you can't find the shops – the machines are all clearly labelled! They're called Pant-automaten and they're super easy to spot thanks to their bright signs. No worries! Just pop your bottles in the special slot on the machine and it'll take care of the refund amount for you. And don't worry, at the end you'll get a receipt that you can exchange for cash at the checkout or use as a discount on your purchases. Some machines even let you donate your money straight to a charity.

How to use a Pant-automat?

I totally get it, using Pant-automaten doesn't have to be a headache! It's actually super simple and intuitive. Go ahead and have a go at putting bottles and cans into the machine one by one. The machine will recognise the barcode and type of container, calculate the refund amount and display it on the screen. If the machine doesn't recognise a bottle (e.g. the barcode is damaged), don't worry! Just try inserting it again, or ask a store employee for help. Once you've got all your bottles, just press the button and you'll get your receipt right away. The whole process is really quick, it only takes a few minutes.

How do I get my money back for the bottles?

Once you've returned the bottles, the machine will give you a receipt showing how much your refund will be. Hey, just a friendly reminder to pop this receipt into the store's checkout so you can get your money in cash. And here's another great tip: you can use the receipt as a discount when you pay for your purchases! If you're looking to give back to the environment and support charities, some of our machines have a really cool feature. They'll ask you if you'd like to donate your refunded money to special charity programmes. Just hit the button on the screen that says 'donate' before you get your receipt, and you're all set!

Can tourists use the Pant system?

Oh, absolutely! Hey, just so you know, the Pant system is available to everyone, including tourists. No matter how long you're planning to stay in Norway, you can always use the Pant machines and get your money back, no problem! Hey, I totally get it – we all want to save a little money and be kinder to the planet. This is a great opportunity to do just that! This way, you can help the country to protect its beautiful nature and make your own stay more conscious too.

What to do if the machine does not accept a bottle?

Don't worry if the machine doesn't accept your bottle! Sometimes it's just too badly damaged, deformed or the barcode is unreadable. If you can't return the bottle first time, don't worry! Just try smoothing it out or carefully repairing the barcode. If you need any further assistance, our friendly shop assistants would be more than happy to help. If you can't return the bottle to the machine, no worries! You can always leave it in the special containers for plastic and metal, and they'll be sent for recycling.

Have you ever thought about how much you could earn from Pant bottles?

I totally get it, it's not like you're going to get rich just from returning bottles, but believe me, you could easily earn a few dozen kroner during your trip. For example, if you buy 3-4 bottles of water or drinks every day, you can get back between 50 and 100 NOK during a week's trip. I'm so glad you'll have this nice bonus to spend on extra coffee, pastries or souvenirs!

I was wondering if bottles purchased in another country can be returned?

I'm really sorry, but unfortunately, bottles and cans purchased outside Norway are not accepted by local Pant machines. This is because they are not part of the national recycling system. To avoid any problems, it's best to buy drinks in Norway itself. This is a great way to avoid any waste and even get some of your money back!

Why is Pant a great way to protect nature?

I'm so pleased to tell you that the Pant system has proven to be incredibly effective! In Norway, around 97% of all bottles and cans are recycled, which is just amazing! This is so important because it means less waste ending up in the environment, which is great news for our planet. Every time you return a bottle, you're doing your bit to protect the environment and helping the country stay clean and tidy, which is great!

Pant is a really lovely example of how simple everyday habits can help make the world a cleaner place. Hey, I totally get it – using Pant in Norway is such a great way to not only get your money back, but also help the environment. Just a friendly reminder to please keep this in mind when you're planning your trip to this incredible country!

We totally get it – you want to make your trip to Norway as comfortable as possible, and who doesn't? We really hope you enjoy reading the sections 'Ecology and Responsible Tourism,' 'Prices and Costs,' and 'Useful Tips for Tourists' – they're jam-packed with tips to make your trip even more conscious and enjoyable!