Opinion: Sweden needs stricter requirements to meet targets
The Government Offices are currently working on how the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation will be implemented in Sweden. In an opinion piece in Aktuell Hållbarhet, we urge the government to address the weaknesses in the system.
At present, the Government Offices are determining how the EU’s new packaging regulation will be transposed into Swedish legislation. This represents a crucial opportunity to strengthen the system at a time when Sweden risks missing its recycling targets. Clearer responsibilities, higher quality requirements and stricter enforcement are now needed.
Näringslivets Producentansvar believes it should be self-evident to utilise the resources already in place. A well-functioning recycling system is a prerequisite for a circular economy. In an opinion piece in Aktuell Hållbarhet, our CEO Helena Nylén outlines our proposals for how the government can move forward as it prepares to decide on Sweden’s national implementation of the EU rules.
Sweden has strong potential to become a frontrunner in the circular economy. However, this requires the entire value chain to function effectively – from household sorting to material recycling.
This requires:
- clear quality requirements
- appropriate allocation of responsibility
- robust supervision and increased penalty fees
Otherwise, we risk a system in which many producers take responsibility for meeting recycling targets, while at the same time being forced to bear costs that are not theirs to carry.
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