Government proposal for increased material recycling of waste

– It is welcome that the government prioritizes predictability, clear division of responsibility and competitive neutrality between the players in the waste market in the inquiry’s proposal. These are issues we see as crucial for long-term sustainable producer responsibility, says Henrik Nilsson, head of Business Development & Community Relations at Näringslivets Producentansvar.

On a first review of the memorandum, we note above all the following proposals concerning measures for increased material recycling of packaging.

1. Uniform requirements for and exemptions from curb side collection of residual waste, food or kitchen waste and packaging waste must be introduced.
2. Whoever is responsible for the waste being completely treated must ensure that the collected waste is further sorted if necessary to enable material recycling.
3. Businesses that, in connection with a professional sorting of residual waste, receive a waste stream, which predominantly consists of packaging waste, must hand over the waste to a producer responsibility organization.

The NPA is now reviewing the inquiry’s proposals in detail and will provide views and comments on the proposals in a referral response by February 14 at the latest.

– It is positive that the government also invites to a hearing on the proposals as part of the remittance. An increased dialogue between relevant actors, authorities and government provides improved opportunities to reach a consensus on how Sweden should work to best achieve the material recycling goals, but must also take into account already decided, but not yet fully implemented, efforts, concludes Henrik Nilsson.