Latest news
19 proposals to increase packaging recycling
Näringslivets Producentansvar (NPA) is today presenting 19 reform proposals across five areas to increase the material recycling of packaging in Sweden.
– It should be a matter of course that we make use of the resources we already have. A well-functioning recycling system is a prerequisite for a circular economy. Our 19 reform proposals target actors across the entire lifecycle of packaging and have the potential to make Sweden a leader in material recycling, says Helena Nylén, CEO of the recycling organisation Näringslivets Producentansvar (NPA).
NPA has recently published a report showing how Sweden can achieve the recycling targets for packaging by 2030. Currently, we have a long way to go, especially regarding plastic packaging, which has consequences both for emissions and societal resilience. Today’s 19 reform proposals are based on the conclusions of that report.
– The report provides knowledge and highlights several pathways for future actions. The reform proposals clarify which measures we at NPA consider priorities for Sweden to achieve its recycling targets, says Axel Naver, Sustainability & Public Policy Expert at NPA.
The proposals cover five areas:
-
Eliminating free-riding
-
Making it easier for households and businesses to sourse separate waste
-
Clarifying responsibilities and frameworks within the waste management system
-
Increasing public investment in circular infrastructure
-
Increasing research funding for circular packaging design
All proposals can be implemented by actors in Sweden, primarily through changes in legislation, budget allocations, and public initiatives. They also emphasise the importance of ensuring a level playing field between EU countries, based on the premise that other EU countries are also taking action to meet EU legislative targets.
More Latest news
Anders Svensson Appointed New Chair of the Board at NPA
Anders Svensson has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Directors of Näringslivets Producentansvar (NPA). He succeeds Bengt Lagerman and brings extensive experience from both the retail sector and the wider business community.
Almost a fifth is missorted in packaging collection
The 2025 waste composition analyses show that almost a fifth, 18 percent, of the material that Näringslivets Producentansvar collects from the municipalities is missorted. This concerns packaging that is left in the wrong recycling bin, but also waste that is not packaging. Missorting deteriorates the quality of the material and can lead to less material being recycled.
Why is it so important that each packaging material can be source‑separated and recycled in clean material streams?
The answer is that, for packaging to be considered suitable for high-quality material recycling, the materials must be easy to separate. Materials should not be mixed or contaminated by other material types and should preferably be made from mono-materials. Watch the film to learn what to consider when designing packaging for maximum material recycling.