Businesses can drop off their packaging waste at collection points free of charge. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has determined how quickly the sites must be expanded until January 1, 2026. The pace of expansion poses certain challenges, as there is limited access to facilities that can receive and handle packaging waste from businesses.

Until January 1 this year, Sweden’s municipalities could receive this type of waste at their recycling centers, but according to the packaging regulation, this is no longer allowed. The responsibility for collecting business packaging at collection points now lies with the largest producer responsibility organization, NPA.

– We see good opportunities for cooperation with the municipalities in this matter. Together, we can offer local entrepreneurs an accessible and free service. They have the sites and we have the permit, says Ulrika Eliason, group manager Facility & Recycling at NPA.

NPA offers all municipalities the opportunity to qualify their recycling centres as collection points through an agreement. In this way, the municipality can continue to offer the same service as before to businesses in the municipality.

Dialogue is currently underway with a number of municipalities on the issue and there is great interest. First to sign an agreement was the municipalies of Strömsund and Ljusdal.

– There are many municipalities that see the advantages of this agreement, which means that businesses in the municipality can leave an unlimited amount of packaging waste completely free of charge at the recycling centre. Without an agreement, the businesses are referred to our regular collection points or to hiring a private operator to pick up their packaging, says Ulrika.

Are you interested in hearing more about offering collection points at your recycling centres? Please contact us at anlaggning@npa.se