Zero Waste Approach: Sweden’s Sustainable Lifestyle and Recycling Success
Sweden is on a mission to achieve a zero-waste society.
The strong emphasis on recycling and reusing made these processes automatically integrated into the daily lives of the country’s citizens.
The country boasts recycling facilities, known as “soprum” or “miljöstugga,” in all housing areas, enabling individuals to easily sort their waste for recycling.
Consequently, an impressive 99% of Sweden’s household garbage is recycled and reused.
For items that cannot be recycled at a housing area’s facility, residents are encouraged to utilize the municipality’s recycling stations.
These stations accept a wide range of waste, including batteries, clothes, broken furniture, light bulbs, electrical goods, cooking oil, and more.
To maximize recycling efforts, it is crucial for packaging to be completely empty and somewhat dry.
In cases where packaging consists of multiple materials, sorting it based on the material that weighs the most is recommended.
Historically, Förpackningsinsamlingen (FTI) managed unstaffed recycling stations across Sweden.
However, a significant shift occurred in June 2022 when the government passed a new ordinance transferring the responsibility for collecting household packaging to Sweden’s municipalities, effective January 1, 2024.
This transition marked the discontinuation of FTI in 2024, with the newly established company Näringslivets Producentansvar taking over all producer responsibility-related matters from FTI.
The primary goal of the new ordinance is to boost packaging recycling while simultaneously reducing packaging and packaging waste.
Specific targets have been outlined for material recycling, reusable packaging, litter reduction, and the amount of recycled plastic in packages.
For individuals, the new system means that as of January 1, 2024, municipalities will assume responsibility for collecting packaging, and curbside collection will be accessible to all citizens by January 1, 2027, at the latest.
For producers, on the other hand, new regulations requiriments include them to be affiliated with an approved Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) like Näringslivets Producentansvar from November 1, 2023.
The PRO is committed to supporting producers in meeting the ordinance’s demands, drawing on expertise developed since FTI’s establishment in 1994.
The obligations for producers include contributing to national material recycling targets, using recyclable or reusable packaging, registering with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and covering the costs of collecting and recycling their packaging.
Näringslivets Producentansvar, as a Producer Responsibility Organization, focuses on establishing circular material flows and traceable recycling of packaging.
Owned by industry organizations such as DLF Sweden, Swedish Food Retailers Federation, Swedish Trade Federation, the Swedish Brewers Association, and the Spirit and Wine Suppliers Association, the organization provides crucial support and guidance to affiliated producers regarding recycling design and reporting to the Swedish EPA.
If you want to know more about the new regulation on the producer responsibility for packaging in Sweden or if you ant to join the journey towards a more circular society visit Näringslivets Producentansvar’s website.
