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Hello, Magnus Sandström!
As the largest producer responsibility organization, NPA has a responsibility to provide so-called collection points throughout Sweden. Here, companies can drop off packaging waste generated in their operations free of charge. The collection points are financed through the packaging fees for non-private use paid by producers.
You have the title Facility Manager, B2B- what does that mean?
I am responsible for expanding a system of free collection points for businesses’ packaging waste. It is a responsibility that we have as the largest producer responsibility organization. I also follow up on the agreements with our suppliers and the volumes collected and recycled.
What determines the expansion of the sites and their location?
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency requires a certain expansion rate, which we are following. In 2024, we prioritized locations based on our assessment of where the needs were greatest and where there were facilities that could handle the volumes. The expansion is now taking place according to the demand that we are to offer one location per municipality by January 1, 2026.
Is it a challenge to reach that goal?
Yes, definitely. We do not own any facilities or land, so we need to cooperate with actors who can receive and recycle businesses’ packaging on our behalf. It is not easy to find that type of facility.
In the future, we hope to come further in the dialogue with the municipalities when it comes to receiving businesses’ packaging at their recycling centers.
Another challenge is that it is difficult to predict what volumes may come in via this collection system.
There are different types of collection points – why?
We have three different types of facilities. Those that can handle large volumes and receive both small and large vehicles. At these facilities, businesses need to make a delivery notification before they can leave their packaging.
There are also smaller facilities that are only for businesses that come with vehicles of up to a maximum of 3.5 tons. They have more limited opening hours.
Finally, there are also municipal recycling centers, which are also for smaller vehicles. Neither of the latter two requires a delivery notification before the visit.
Currently, too little material is coming in for us to be able to establish more facilities that can handle large volumes. Even if that demand were to increase in the future, there is limited availability of that type of facility. We are trying to adapt the type of reception site to how needs develop.
What is your dream scenario on January 1, 2026?
That all facilities are up and running and that they think that the cooperation and the system are working well. Of course, we also want the businesses that are intended to use the system to be satisfied. Since this is both a new responsibility for us and a new service for businesses, we will most likely need to change some things along the way to meet needs that may not exist today.
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