A waste coordinator at the recycling center in Sorsele, Sweden, has come forward about experiencing harassment from visitors, according to a report from SVT Västerbotten. Emma Silvander, 30, who has worked as a waste coordinator at the Sorsele recycling center for two years, reported being subjected to verbal abuse including being called derogatory names by visitors. "I get sad and sometimes don't know what to say to the visitor," Silvander said.
The incident highlights a broader problem in Sweden's waste management sector. According to a 2023 survey by Avfall Sverige, 41 percent of recycling facilities across 120 municipalities reported that their staff had experienced threats or violence. The organization's research indicates that such incidents often occur when visitors are stressed or frustrated.
I get sad and sometimes don't know what to say to the visitor
Silvander's experience was reported on March 6, 2026, bringing attention to workplace safety issues faced by recycling center employees throughout the country.