Sweden – producer responsibility pushes recycling ahead for many materials

Since 1997 the Swedish EPA (Naturvårdsverket) performs an annual follow-up to see to what extent producers have achieved the recovery targets. This applies to waste covered by producer responsibility: end-of-life packaging, waste paper, tyres, cars, and WEEE (waste from electrical and electronic products).



Ten years of recycling



Ten years have passed since the introduction of producer responsibility. Rates have increased steadily since 1994. The recycling level was then some 40 percent. Today it has increased to around 67 percent, based on the Packaging Directive criteria.



Recovery and recycling of packaging and waste paper in 2004



Fully 49 per cent of the packaging waste goes to recycling. The recovery rate, which includes both material recycling and energy recovery, is 58 per cent (based on the Packaging Ordinance criteria). Both figures are high by international standards. However, if we look at each type of packaging separately, only glass and corrugated cardboard have reached their targets. Aluminium is one of the materials that haven‘‘t reached their targets, with a recovery rate of 27 per cent compared with the target of 70 per cent. Wood continues to pose a statistical problem.



Wood packaging and an unknown number of companies with own responsibility make packaging statistics uncertain



Few companies notify the Swedish EPA that they are discharging their responsibility on their own. There are also an unknown number of companies who do not fulfil their producer responsibility. This creates problems both from a competition viewpoint and for accurate statistics. Better oversight is needed. The Swedish EPA will look into the possibility of simplifying the notification procedure. Enforcement should be strengthened.



Is the target for plastic packaging realistic?



It is difficult for the producers to achieve the recycling target of 30 per cent. Despite extra efforts in recent years, this year‘‘s result is only 19 per cent. The industry therefore wonders if the target is realistic. The Swedish EPA does not intend to propose any change. Increased service and information to households and improved separation technology should make it possible to achieve the target.



Agricultural plastic meets its commitment



Fully 57 percent of agricultural plastic has been recycled. The target for the industry‘‘s voluntary commitment is a recycling rate of 30 per cent.



New rules regarding consultation and suitable collection system



New rules entered into force on 1 January 2005 in the ordinances for both packaging and waste paper. They concern the design of a suitable collection system, consultation with the municipality and information. The aim is to give households better service. During the spring of 2005, the Swedish EPA has received many signals that the collection of both packaging waste and waste paper is not functioning satisfactorily. The main complaint is littering. Furthermore, doorstep collection of newspapers has been discontinued in the City of Stockholm for occupational health reasons.



The Swedish EPA intends to follow up the situation as regards both consultation and littering.



Private imports of glass containers



The glass bottles with alcoholic beverages that are imported into the country by private citizens are not subject to producer responsibility. They fall under the municipality‘‘s public cleansing responsibility. The Swedish EPA has therefore initiated discussions between Svensk GlasÅtervinning and the municipalities aimed at reaching a financial settlement regarding collection and recycling of these glass bottles.



Better enforcement for packaging and waste paper



A manual for enforcement of producer responsibility for packaging and waste paper will be published during 2005. It will meet a great need on the part of the supervisor