How we work with material quality

In order for a package to be recycled, it must first of all be designed for recycling and sorted at source when used up. However, if the quality of the collected material is poor, the material recycling possibilities may be impaired. Therefore, we carry out continuous quality work that consists of several different parts, including analyzing, testing, follow-up, information and training of our reception facilities.

Waste composition analysis and drill samples

Twice a year, we do waste composition analyses of plastic, paper and metal packaging at all our reception facilities. We collect material to an extent that guarantees a statistically reliable result for the total volume that we handle. The waste composition analysis form the basis of our reporting to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

The compilation of all protocols from the analyses gives us a picture of what the total material looks like and which packages come in. It also gives us knowledge about how much incorrect material we receive, i.e. material that is not packaging.

We also do drill samples on baled paper and plastic packaging, on randomly selected deliveries from all our receiving facilities. It gives a statistically reliable result from the whole country. The purpose of drill samples is to measure the moisture in the material, something that is part of our requirements for the facilities.

Requirements for rough sorting and reporting of deviations

The results from waste composition analysis and drill samples are used in the dialogue with actors who buy material from us. If the material does not meet their quality requirements, for example, has too high a moisture content, it affects both material recycling and compensation, as the material either has to be recycled to a lower quality or not at all.

– In our follow-up of the reception facilities, the results from waste composition analysis and drill tests are important. It is a starting point for quality deviations and the processes and handling that may need to be improved in order for the material quality to be as high as possible, says Ulrika Eliason, Group Manager Construction & Recycling.

Both the municipal reloading stations and reception facilities have a rough sorting task. It aims to ensure that the material meets agreed quality requirements. Before NPA collects the material, the reloading station must ensure that the material meets the requirements. Material that is not assessed as recyclable must be reported as a deviation and sorted out.

When the material is received by the reception facility, they must in turn check whether it complies with the quality requirements and report deviations. If control and reporting does not work as intended, it means that the next link in the chain has to receive material of lower quality.

– In addition to the follow-up we do at the facilities, we also produced manuals and conducted webinars with focus on quality assessment and why it is so important that it is done. Our goal is for as much material as possible to be recycled, and that is why the quality of the material is so important, concludes Ulrika Eliason.