Room for improvement of plastic recycling in the Nordic countries
- In order to achieve the desired increase in plastic recycling, we need to involve the entire value chain. Our plastic products should be designed and produced without harmful substances and with recycling in mind. We also need to improve collection and sorting and stimulate the market for recycled materials,” says Sanna Due-Sjöström, Chair of the Nordic Waste Group, a body under the Nordic Council of Ministers..
The report "Collection and recycling of plastic waste" presents the initial steps to improve the Nordic collection and recycling systems. The report focuses on three waste streams: plastic packaging, small plastic items and plastic bulky waste.
"Guideline for plastic sorting at recycling centres" is aimed at assisting the management of municipal recycling centres in collecting plastics of better quality and in greater quantities. The report lists and describes potential plastic categories and offers recommendations on how to organise collection and sorting at the centres.
- 65,000 tons of plastic coming from the municipal recycling centres is incinerated every year. Improved sorting at the centres would contribute to a significant increase in plastic recycling,” says Due-Sjöström.
Finally, the report "Plastic value chains – Case WEEE (Waste electric and electronic equipment)" identifies considerable potential for enhanced plastics recycling from Nordic electronic waste. Identifying and sorting out hazardous substances is highlighted as a key issue. Despite the fact that viable recycling technologies are available, well under 30% of the plastic is recycled.
Plastic at Recycling Centres, Background: Background report, phase 1
Plastic value chains: Case: WEEE (Waste Electric and electronic equipment) in the Nordic region
Background
The reports form part of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ green growth initiative, The Nordic Region – leading in green growth. The analysis provides input into the ongoing efforts to increase plastic recycling in the Nordic countries. Further results will be presented in the final project reports at the end of 2014.
The reports were produced by Ostfold Research (NO), IVL – Swedish Environmental Research Institute (SE), VTT – Technical Research Centre of Finland, Aalborg University (DK), Environice (IS), and Cowi (SE / DK / NO).
