Dave, Tania's wiki link says it --'pant' refers to 'deposit' and only that, in this context. 'Panthantering' is when you return bottles and cans (glass, PET, aluminum) to special sites (now almost entirely automated for the consumer) to get credit for the deposit you paid when purchasing the product. That is what 'panthantering' refers to. http://www.oakdenehollins.co.uk/pdf/Deposit_Returns_2005.pdf

Recyclying waste (that consumers do not pay a direct deposit on) is an entirey different program in Sweden. I translated this recently 'the REPA reprocessing organization (www.repa.se) in Sweden—that works to help all businesses meet their legal obligations for recycling products or packaging'. You'll find some interesting reading at that link and at http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Producentansvar; and http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophantering